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SURABAYA, 27TH JANUARY 2015 – The search and rescue (SAR) operations continued this morning as divers were deployed into the sea to observe the sea floor and the fuselage wreckage conditions. However, the floating mission of the fuselage wreckage unfortunately had to be stopped due to strong underwater currents. 

Earlier today, the Commander of the Indonesian Navy's Western Fleet, Rear Admiral Widodo, announced that according to theIndonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Commander, General Moeldoko's order, TNI has withdrawn all of its forces and assets from the search area. He added that the decision was made based on several considerations such as fuselage wreckage observation results which indicate that no remains are still left inside. 

The National Search and Rescue Agency Republic of Indonesia (BASARNAS) is expected to announce their plans for the next phase of the SAR operations in the coming days. 

The Disaster Victim Identification Police Department Republic of Indonesia (DVI POLRI) today announced that one passenger was identified as: Prawira Harja Subagio (male). AirAsia Indonesia has officially handed over the remains to the respective families this afternoon. DVI POLRI also received an additional remain – recovered two days ago (25/01) – and had been flown from Pangkalan Bun, Central Borneo this afternoon. The remain will undergo further identification process at Bhayangkara Hospital. 

To date, BASARNAS has confirmed to have recovered a total of 70 remains of which 55 remains have been identified by DVI POLRI, 15 remains are still being identified.

 AirAsia Indonesia would like to take this opportunity to urge the public seeking progress on the search and evacuation and identification process of QZ 8501 passengers to refer solely to official information from BASARNAS and DVI POLRI.

You may also obtain substantiated information only from authorised AirAsia social media accounts: Facebook(www.facebook.com/AirAsia) and Twitter(www.twitter.com/AirAsia)

Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families and friends of our passengers and colleagues on board QZ 8501