AirAsia plane search: US pledges additional aid

Washington, Dec 31: The US has pledged additional aid to search for a missing AirAsia plane, as debris and six bodies have been found, a media report said on Wednesday.

"US had deployed the USS Sampson, a guided missile destroyer, and is ready to send another ship if needed to join the search for Indonesia AirAsia Flight 8501," Xinhua reported, citing a statement issued by White House official Josh Earnest on Tuesday.

"We continue to work with Indonesia to identify what additional resources may be required, and the US stands ready to provide additional assistance during this difficult time," he said.

The Singapore-bound flight with 162 people on board lost contact with the air traffic control, 42 minutes after taking off from Surabaya Sunday.

Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency confirmed on Tuesday that the debris found in Karimata Strait is of the ill-fated jetliner.

AirAsia Indonesia said family members of the passengers will be invited to Surabaya, where the recovered bodies will be identified.

IANS