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6 More Air France Bodies Found

By Jess Kilby, Newser User

Posted Jun 13, 2009 5:58 AM CDT

(Newser) – Six more bodies from Air France Flight 447 have been found, bringing the total to 50 even as authorities contemplate an end date for the search, the AP reports. Warm ocean water in the search area will speed up the sinking of bodies and attract feeding marine life, experts note, and the signal from the plane’s flight recorders begins to fade after 30 days.

The Brazilian military has set June 25 as the tentative end date for its search operations, and will meet every two days beginning Monday to determine whether to keep looking—a decision that will be based on whether any new debris or bodies have been found. Bad weather in the region continues to hamper search efforts.

[Images (3)]

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Brazilian Air Force personnel carry a body recovered during search operations of the missing Air France flight 447 off the northeast coast of Brazil, Thursday, June 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Brazilian Air Force personnel prepare to carry a body recovered during search operations of the missing Air France flight 447 off the northeast coast of Brazil, Thursday, June 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

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At this point, it's not really surprising you are hearing them talking about an end to the search.
- William Waldock, who teaches air crash investigation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

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