An Indonesian helicopter crew recovered debris from the sea at the crash site
Recovery teams are
launching a "massive search" in the Java Sea for victims of the AirAsia
flight QZ8501 crash, as investigators look for the plane's crucial data
recorders.
Indonesian officials have confirmed that remains and debris found in the waters off Borneo are from the plane.Crews on aircraft and ships are setting off to scan the sea as day breaks.
The Airbus A320-200, carrying 162 people from Surabaya in Indonesia to Singapore, disappeared on Sunday.
President Joko Widodo promised a "massive search by the ships and helicopters" with the focus on recovering the bodies of victims.
Relatives of passengers on the plane have been waiting for news at Surabaya airport
"I also feel the loss from this tragedy and we all pray for the
families to be given fortitude and strength," he said, speaking in
Surabaya. Singapore has sent ships equipped with sensors to detect pings that may be emitted from the plane's black boxes.
Malaysia, Australia and Thailand are also involved in the search. The US destroyer USS Sampson has been sent to the zone.
'Professional and humble'
Several bodies have been recovered from the water, but officials disagree on the number.
"I know the plane has crashed but I cannot believe my brother and his family are dead," Ifan Joko told the Associated Press news agency. He said he had lost seven relatives, three of them children, as they travelled to Singapore to celebrate the New Year.
Pilot's friend: "He was very professional and experienced and a humble man"
Friends described him as "professional and humble".
AirAsia boss Tony Fernandes said earlier support would be offered to the families of victims and search teams would work for a "speedy conclusion".
"It is a horrible, horrible experience but we will try and do our best," he said. "That's our focus right now.
Worst possible news
The first debris from the plane was spotted on Tuesday. Pictures of debris and bodies were shown on Indonesian TV.
Alice Budisatrijo witnessed relatives screaming and crying as they watched a news conference on screens in Surabaya
An AirAsia statement on Tuesday said the remains were found in the Karimata Strait, south-west of Pangkalan Bun in the Borneo province of Central Kalimantan.
The head of the search operation, Bambang Soelistyo, said a shadow had been spotted under the water, which appeared to be in the shape of a plane.
Officials say rescuers are "very busy" with the salvage operation
Pictures of debris were taken by search and rescue aircraft
On board the plane were 137 adult passengers, 17 children and one infant, along with two pilots and five crew.Most were Indonesian but the passengers included one UK national, a Malaysian, a Singaporean and three South Koreans.
AirAsia previously had an excellent safety record and there were no fatal accidents involving its aircraft.
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