As the large-scale research and rescue work in the Taiwan Strait near Penghu for China Airlines flight CI611 got underway, Premier Yu Shyi-kun rushed to CKS International Airport yesterday afternoon to supervise the search efforts.
After the plane disappeared from radar screens at 3:33pm, the Ministry of National Defense sent 16 vessels to the area where the plane had last been reported. The Coast Guard Administration sent two patrol boats to the area.
After being informed of the plane's disappearance, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications immediately set up an emergency center. Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Ling-san (林陵三) assured the public that the ministry would do its best to assist the search and rescue work.
A military base in Chiayi deployed seven medical helicopters for search and rescue work, according to the National Search and Rescue Center of the Ministry of the Interior.
Three of the helicopters, equipped with advanced infrared-ray detection systems, would conduct a 24-hour search mission.
"By taking turns, they [the pilots] will execute the mission throughout the night," said a major general at the base.
Admiral Li Chieh (
Rescue teams recovered the first body at about 6:10pm. Over the next three hours more bodies were spotted. As of press time last night, only seven bodies had been recovered. No survivors had been found as of press time.
A CAL spokesman said that more than 100 bodies had been spotted in the sea near Penghu but till Sunday morning only 31 had been recovered.
Search aircraft also spotted an oil slick, life jackets and a cabin door in the same area.
In response to the tragedy, China Airlines has set up an emergency center at the transit hotel at the CKS International Airport for the families of the passengers. Family members can obtain the latest information by calling a hotline at (03) 398-7770.
The airlines has also set up a hotline in Hong Kong at 852-2261-1815.
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