DONGHAE, S. Korea, Nov 4 (NNN-YONHAP) – The Coast Guard transported two bodies, retrieved from the chopper crash near the Dokdo islets, to a hospital morgue, on the closest island of Ulleung in South Korea.
A search was underway after a rescue helicopter carrying seven people, including an injured person, crashed into the East Sea late Thursday. The crash happened soon after it took off from Dokdo.
On Saturday, rescue workers found three bodies, two near the tail rotor and one inside the fuselage. The third victim has yet to be retrieved from the fuselage, which over-turned when it was found.
Rescue officials said Sunday, the forensic process has begun to identify the bodies, including getting DNA samples from family members.
Two recovered bodies are so far confirmed to be male, and one of them is presumed to be a firefighter, given the clothes he wore bore similar colours of a firefighter.
Coast Guards resumed underwater search at 8 am and began work to install a mesh around the fuselage, to salvage it from the waters.
Authorities said earlier, the operation was being impeded by unfavourable weather conditions.
Dozens of Navy and Coast Guard vessels, as well as, helicopters and planes, are mobilised for the search operation in the area, spanning some 54 kilometres south of Dokdo. At least 25 divers are working at the scene for the rescue mission.– NNN-YONHAP