Search and recovery efforts intensify as 73 bodies recovered

What this source establishes

The state's fullest single accounting of the recovery toll in this manifest: 73 bodies recovered, 69 identified, 63 released to families, 22 funerals completed. It records 17 assets engaged, three aircraft and 14 maritime vessels, and a search zone expanded by a further 32 square miles from Waini Point to Adventure. Diving operations are itemised as five dives of 45-60 minutes recovering one body from inside the vessel. The Prime Minister commits to continuing 'for as long as necessary'.

Official statement recorded in this source

Operations will continue "for as long as necessary to ensure that every possible effort is made to account for those affected with the utmost care, dignity and respect."

Figures cited in this source

73 bodies recovered; 69 positively identified; 63 released to families; 6 scheduled for transport; 22 funerals completed

Key claims

• 73 bodies have been recovered, with 69 positively identified.
• 63 bodies have been released to families; six additional bodies scheduled for transport to their communities.
• The search zone has expanded by 32 square miles, extending from Waini Point to Adventure.
• On Friday, diving teams completed five underwater operations lasting 45-60 minutes each, recovering one additional body from inside the vessel.
• 22 funerals had been completed as of the update.
• "A total of 17 assets, comprising three aircraft and 14 maritime vessels" are actively engaged in recovery efforts.

Quotations

• “for as long as necessary to ensure that every possible effort is made to account for those affected with the utmost care, dignity and respect”— Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips, Prime Minister
• “a total of 17 assets, comprising three aircraft and 14 maritime vessels”— Department of Public Information

This page is a research summary prepared for comment and review. It is not the article. Copyright in the original remains with Department of Public Information; the full text is held only in the private research corpus from which this archive was compiled. Follow the link above to read it at the source.