Malaysia hands over body to US Navy

U.S. Navy personnel prepare to carry a body onto U.S. Navy helicopter from USS America during a search and rescue operation for survivors of the USS John S. McCain ship collision in Malaysian waters. - Reuters.

PETALING JAYA: The Navy handed over remains found near the collision of USS John S McCain and an oil tanker on Tuesday to its US counterparts.

It said a US Seahawk helicopter landed on KD Lekiu at around 8.30am Tuesday and the remains were placed on the helicopter and brought back to the USS John S McCain.

“The aircraft departed KD Lekiu for Sembawang (in Singapore) at around 9.48am,” the statement said.

It said that the Navy "remains resolute in its efforts to continue the search together with other agencies and Navies."

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims' families,” the Navy said.

The body was reportedly found about eight nautical miles (15km) from the spot where USS John S. McCain collided with the Liberian-registered MV Alnic MC.

Earlier, the Malaysian Maritime Enforce­ment Agency (MMEA) said the search areas for the 10 missing sailors of USS John S McCain have been widened.

The search area now covers 488 nautical miles (900km) while the search zones have been increased from four to nine.

The search and rescue operation which started at 7am on Tuesday was hampered by storm clouds, choppy seas and winds.