Search and rescue operation in process for search and rescue helicopter off Fuerteventura

[Janet]

The helicopter has now been located. The discovery was confirmed yesterday, the Ministry of Defence has said, and the families of the four crew inside have been informed. The ministry will now study the best way of recovering the bodies, and the helicopter itself which might be investigated to discover the cause of its crash. JA

[Janet]

Two bodies and a considerable part of the fuselage have been brought up to the surface today, says the Ministry of Defence, as it confirmed the depth at which they had settled as 2,363m. The Spanish navy is transferring the two crew to  Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Works will resume tomorrow to recover the other two bodies. JA

[Janet]

The Ministry of Defence has said that a robot submarine has now recovered remains which almost certainly belong to the two missing crew from the helicopter. These have also been transferred to Gran Canaria for confirmation of identity and cause of death. Search teams continue to comb the surface area above the rescue site.  JA

[Janet]

 The final two bodies have now been confirmed as the other missing crew, and with that, the four crew are confirmed dead in the accident. Defence minister Pedro Morenés will be in Gran Canaria tomorrow to attend the funeral that will be held for them. He will be accompanied by Air Force chief F. Javier García Arnaiz, the ministry has confirmed. The service will be held at the Gando Air Force Base at midday. The four are Capt Daniel Pena, Lieut Carmen Ortega, Lieut Sebastián Ruiz, and Sgt Carlos Caramanzana. JA