TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – F.H. Bambang Sulistyo, chief of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), said they will expand the search area to find the missing AirAsia QZ8501. Initially the search operations cover an area of approximately 50 square miles, centered on the plane's last known location before it lost contact with air traffic control.

"This is our first focus. But we are not just searching there," Sulistyo said at the Basarnas headquarters in Jakarta, Sunday, December 28. Sulistyo said the search operation will be carried for the next week.

The Basarnas receives help from the military and the police as well as neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia, said Sulistyo. The main search post is at the Basarnas office while the tactical command post is located in Pangkalpinang, Bangka Belitung Islands.

Air traffic control lost contact with AirAsia flight QZ 8501 at 6:17 a.m. on Sunday, shortly after the pilot asked to deviate from its path because of bad weather. Its last known location was above the island of Belitung. The plane was carrying 152 passengers, two pilots, and five cabin crew.

KHAIRUL ANAM