As the search for AirAsia Flight QZ8501 stretched into its eighth day, the Java Sea continued to slowly give up the remains of the 162 victims aboard the ill-fated flight, as well as wreckage of the aircraft, reports GHN based on CNN.
At least four more bodies had been recovered on Sunday, taking the count to 34. The remains were transferred by helicopter to the processing center in Pangkalan Bun, Indonesia, to the north of the search area.
The developments come as Indonesian officials announced that they had identified three more bodies -- two female passengers and a male flight attendant.
Additional wreckage was spotted overnight, measuring almost 10 meters (33 ft) by one meter (3.3ft).
As many endured the agonizing wait for news of their loved ones, CNN obtained details of initial compensation packages from AirAsia to the families of the victims.
Several family members told CNN on Sunday that families of those on board the plane were presented with a draft letter from AirAsia outlining details of preliminary compensation.
The letter states that families are entitled to about $24,000 for each family member that was on the plane.
While some families signed the letter, others requested revisions to the wording.
This compensation money is for any "financial hardships" during this period of the search, and in the letter AirAsia stressed that it was not a confirmation that their family members were deceased.
Taking advantage of better weather, the surface search area has been extended to the east, Marsdya Bambang Soelistyo, head of the Indonesian Search and Rescue agency, told reporters Sunday.
Although there has been an improvement in conditions, they remain difficult, with heavy rain and high waves continuing to hamper recovery efforts.
The surface search's extension was based on predictions that the remains of the victims, along with wreckage from the aircraft, have drifted with the current.
The priority surface, and underwater search, areas remained the same, he added.
Twenty aircraft and 27 ships were involved in Sunday's search. Divers are on standby but the underwater search was halted due to poor visibility and strong currents.