July 11, 2026 06:04 am (IST)
Follow us:
AirAsia QZ 8501: SAR team confirms recovery of aircraft tail
Surabaya, Jan 8 (IBNS): The National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) Republic of Indonesia on Thursday confirmed that the SAR team retrieved a visual confirmation of the tail part of ill-fated QZ 8501's aircraft.
The visual confirmation was made following underwater documentation of the aircraft’s tail and small wreckage, which showed the plane’s registration number (PK-AXC), captured by the SAR team’s sea divers.
The tail part was found in the additional focus search area (approx. 30 kms from the primary focus area).
The SAR operation is still underway as the weather is reported to be clear with good underwater visibility for the divers to continue observation.
Sunu Widyatmoko, Chief Executive Officer AirAsia Indonesia commented, “We would like to extend our appreciation to all authorities and personnel that has been involved in the SAR operation. Today is the eleventh day and the latest finding is indeed an breakthrough for all of us who have been anxiously waiting for further development on the SAR operation.”
Following the latest finding, BASARNAS confirmed that the later SAR operation will be focused in this area to see if there are any trapped remains that must be recovered as well as the continued search for the black box.
Earlier in the day, Indonesian Navy Commander of the KRI Bung Tomo-357, Lieutenant Colonel Ashari Alamsyah officially handed over the debris and passengers belongings of QZ 8501’s flight that were found in the search area to the Deputy Commander of Indonesian Naval Aviation Unit, Colonel Yuwono at SAR Operation center in Juanda International Airport.
As for the next phase, debris will be transferred to Indonesia’s National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) for further investigation.
On Thursday morning, BASARNAS also confirmed to have recovered one more body from the search area. The remain is still in Pangkalan Bun, waiting to be transported to Surabaya for further identification process.
Meanwhile, the Disaster Victim Identification Police Department Republic of Indonesia (DVI POLRI) has announced that they have identified 8 more remains of QZ 8501 passengers as: Ratri Sri Andriani (female),Rudy Soetjipto (male), Jou Christine Yuanita (female), Soetikno Sia (male), Ruth Natalia Made Puspita Sari (female), Nico Giovani (male), Indahju Liangsih (female), Stephanie Yulianto (female).
AirAsia Indonesia officially handed over the remains to the respective families at Bhayangkara Hospital, Surabaya this afternoon.
To date, BASARNAS confirmed to have recovered a total of 40 remains of which 24 remains have been identified by DVI POLRI and 16 remains are still being identified.
"Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families and friends of our passengers and colleagues on board QZ 8501," AirAsia siad in a statement.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
Terrifying mid-air scare: Ryanair passenger nearly sucked out after window comes off
Fri, Jul 10 2026
Police officer injured, four arrested as London sees disorder after France's World Cup win over Morocco
Fri, Jul 10 2026
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei buried at Iran's holiest shrine as Middle East crisis deepens
Fri, Jul 10 2026
Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to be buried in hometown Mashhad after six days of mourning
Thu, Jul 09 2026
'He asked how my Indian cooking was progressing': Scott Morrison after meeting PM Modi
Thu, Jul 09 2026
Third tanker hit in 24 hours in Strait of Hormuz; drone strike raises fresh shipping fears
Tue, Jul 07 2026