QZ8501: Singapore readies air force, navy for search mission

Singapore, Dec 28: Singapore readied its army aircraft and ships to help the search-and-rescue mission for AirAsia Flight QZ8501 which went missing while flying from Indonesia to Singapore since 7.24 am on Sunday. [Did QZ8501 fly into dead zone?]

Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said on his Facebook page that his country's air force and navy were kept on standby to join the rescue operation. [QZ8501 crashed into sea, suspect rescue officials]

Hen said he spoke to his Indonesian counterpart Ryamizard Ryacudu and offered assistance in the rescue mission. The Indonesian defence minister thanked Singapore for its gestures, Hen said.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also expressed his worry on Facebook and said the country was with the passengers of the plane and their families at this hour. PM Loong also called up Indonesian President Joko Widodo to speak on the issue.

Singapore kept two RSAF C-130 search aircraft on standby.

In March this year, a Malaysia Airlines flight disappeared soon after taking off from Kuala Lumpur for Beijing. The plane with 239 people on board was never found again. [MH370: Robotic submarine searches two-thirds of underwater area]

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