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AirAsia Rescue Crews Spot Four Large Objects Underwater

Search crews looking for AirAsia Flight 8501 have spotted four large objects underwater, authorities said.
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Search crews looking for the wreckage of AirAsia Flight 8501 have spotted four large objects in the Java Sea, an Indonesian official said Saturday.

The biggest piece, measuring 59 feet long and 18 feet wide, appeared to be part of the jet's body, said Henry Bambang Soelistyo, chief of the National Search and Rescue Agency.

The objects were discovered Friday and Saturday and a Geological Survey vessel was used to assess dimensions, Soelistyo said. In addition to what appeared to be a significant part of the plane's body, chunks of debris found in the target search area measured up to 39 feet long.

Heavy wind and waves continued to hamper search efforts, now in their seventh day.

Other suspected plane parts were seen scattered on beaches during an aerial survey, Soelistyo said.

Late Friday, the rescue agency, known as BASARNAS, said 30 bodies had been recovered from the jet that went down Sunday in the Java Sea with 162 passengers and crew on board. Most have been found in a relatively small area, which officials said was a further indication that they were zeroing in on the plane's main structure and presumably its black box data recorders.

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NBC News' M. Alex Johnson, Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.