Remains retrieved from Indonesian plane crash

ASSOCIATED PRESS

MOUNT SALAK: An official says remains of several victims of a jetliner crash on the slopes of an Indonesian volcano have been airlifted to the capital for identification.

Search teams who climbed the near-vertical volcano face have been struggling to retrieve the bodies of the 45 people who were aboard the Russian-made Sukhoi Superjet-100 that crashed during a demonstration flight for potential buyers.

Search and rescue agency spokesman Gagah Prakoso said a thick fog that had shrouded the slopes finally lifted Saturday, allowing helicopters to land.

Prakoso says the aircraft brought four body bags with remains to Jakarta.

There is still no sign of the black box recorder that might explain why the jetliner crashed about halfway into Wednesday's 50-minute flight.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

MOUNT SALAK, Indonesia (AP) — An official says remains of several victims of a jetliner crash on the slopes of an Indonesian volcano have been airlifted to the capital for identification.

Search teams who climbed the near-vertical volcano face have been struggling to retrieve the bodies of the 45 people who were aboard the Russian-made Sukhoi Superjet-100 that crashed during a demonstration flight for potential buyers.

Search and rescue agency spokesman Gagah Prakoso said a thick fog that had shrouded the slopes finally lifted Saturday, allowing helicopters to land.

Prakoso says the aircraft brought four body bags with remains to Jakarta.

There is still no sign of the black box recorder that might explain why the jetliner crashed about halfway into Wednesday's 50-minute flight.