Indonesian officials have confirmed at least 40 bodies have been found in the ongoing search for missing AirAsia Indonesia flight QZ8501.

Many have been recovered from the scene, with debris also sighted.

The bodies were spotted in the Java Sea off the Indonesian part of Borneo.

The AirAsia Airbus A320-200, carrying 162 people, was on route from Surabaya in Indonesia to Singapore, when it lost radio contact and disappeared on Sunday.

AFP news agency has also quoted the navy as saying as many as 40 bodies have been retrieved by one warship during the search, which is now in its third day.

AirAsia chief executive Tony Fernandes said: “My heart is filled with sadness for all the families involved in QZ 8501.

“On behalf of AirAsia my condolences.”

Search operation head Bambang Soelistyo revealed plane shaped debris had been located under the water.

All resources were now being sent to the area where the debris was found, and all objects or bodies found would be taken to Pangkalan Bun, he said.

At least 30 ships, 15 aircraft and seven helicopters joined the operation when it resumed at 06:00 local time on Tuesday.