Singapore`s Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen received MV Swift Rescue at Changi Naval Base with Senior officers from the SAF, and a minute of silence was observed by all present for the victims lost in the accident.
Singapore (ANTARA News/Xinhua-0ANA) - The Singapore Navy (RSN) ship MV Swift Rescue, which found the fuselage of the AirAsia flight QZ8501, returned to Changi Naval Base on Sunday morning,

Singapore Armed Forcess (SAF) deployment in the Indonesian-led multinational search operations for AirAsia plane QZ8501 officially concluded, SAF said in a press release on Sunday.

Singapores Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen received MV Swift Rescue at Changi Naval Base with Senior officers from the SAF, and a minute of silence was observed by all present for the victims lost in the accident, SAF said.

Ng praised the contributions of those who took part in the 20- plus day search operation.

"Our SAF servicemen and women gave their best efforts for the search operations." He said.

"Their efforts helped bring closure to the families of the victims and provide answers to the Cause of the accident."

Following the recovery of the flight data and cockpit voice recorders by the Indonesian authorities, MV Swift Rescue continued to assist in the search effort, and located the main fuselage of the aircraft prior to its return to Singapore.

The return of MV Swift Rescue marks the end of the SAFs 22-day deployment where more than 400 personnel, two C-130 aircraft, two Super Puma helicopters, five navy ships, and a 6-man Autonomous Underwater Vehicle team, assisted in the search operations, SAF said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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