Debris and bodies from missing Myanmar military aircraft found
POLITICS
By Wang Xuejing

2017-06-08 21:30 GMT+8

3404km to Beijing

Rescuers in Myanmar found 29 bodies in waters off the southern coast on Thursday, after a military aircraft went missing on Wednesday with 122 people on board.

The plane, carrying 108 soldiers, family members and 14 crew, was en route to Yangon, Myanmar's largest city, from the southern coastal town of Myeik on Wednesday afternoon before contact with the aircraft was lost.

21 adults and eight children were among the bodies found in the Andaman Sea near the coastal town of Launglon by navy and civilian ships, the military posted on Facebook.

Life jackets and bags of clothes, believed to be from the missing plane, were found earlier.

Nine naval vessels, five aircraft and two helicopters are continuing the search, the military said.

On Thursday China sent its condolences to Myanmar and offered to help with the search operation. 

"We express our deepest sympathies to Myanmar over this accident and our condolences go to the families of the victims," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying. 

"China is ready to provide necessary assistance at Myanmar's request," she said. 

3404km

Related story:

Wreckage of missing Myanmar military plane found in sea

Chinese company ready to offer help for probe in Myanmar plane crash

READ MORE