navy vessel and other fishing vessels operating in the region".
On November 29th at 02:56 the wreckage pieces were relocated by the crew of a Transall aeroplane and the ships started with retrieval of bodies and floating wreckage. This was a slow process as floating objects were spread over a large area.
On November 30th at 07:30 it was decided, after anxious deliberation, to terminate the search for survivors and to concentrate on recovery of wreckage pieces. By this time mutilated human remains were retrieved but only 8 bodies were substantial enough for medico-legal post-mortem examinations. The nature of the injuries indicated that the impact forces were far too high for survival.
The following organisations immediately reacted positively to the search and rescue operations:
Mauritius Marine Authority
National Coastguard of Mauritius
Helicopter Section of Mauritius Police
Air Mauritius
French Air Force and Naval Base at Reunion
United States Navy at Diego Garcia
Perth Rescue Co-ordination Centre Australia
SARSAT Toulouse
The gratitude of all concerned for the unhesitating response of these authorities has been noted in the Foreword to this Report.
