Reports of smoke being investigated says director of Indonesia's search operations

This article is more than 12 months old

Dec 30, 2014 09:37 am

Detik.com reports that two Cessna planes have been sent out to investigate reports of smoke seen coming from Long Island, inside the search zone.

Mr F.H. Bambang Soelistyo, director of Indonesia's search and operations team (Basarnas) confirmed these reports as the search for the missing AirAsia flight QZ8501 continues this morning.

While the Java Sea - between the islands of Sumatra and Borneo - has been the main focus of the search, Mr Bambang Soelistyo said that operations will now expand to land, including "the western part of West Kalimantan province".

The US Navy has also joined the multi-nation operation. It is sending a destroyer, the USS Samson, which is expected to arrive at the search area later today.

Detik also reports that the third day of the search is expected to be hampered by poor visibility caused by drizzle and dark clouds.