Jakarta (ANTARA) - National Search and Rescue (SAR) Agency's Deputy for Operation and Preparedness Bambang Suryo Aji confirmed that SAR operations for the crashed Sriwijaya Air Flight 182 will be continued once the weather is safe and favorable.

"Should there be any development whilst we wait for the weather to get better, the team will possibly be conducting rescue operations," Aji stated at the Jakarta International Container Terminal in Tanjung Priok, Jakarta, on Wednesday.

The agency’s deputy for operation and preparedness expounded that several rescue personnel were on standby in inflatable boats, although they are not part of the search operation.

Unfavorable weather has become a hurdle in the search and rescue operations. Strong tides on Wednesday have put the teams at risk if they continued with the operation. "Since this morning, we have continued to monitor and coordinate with the BMKG and communicated that the weather at the location is not favorable for rescue operations and searches involving diving," he stated.

"We have informed that until now, the weather is not conducive for operations, especially those pertaining to underwater," he remarked.

Aji affirmed that the agency will continue to update information on the continuation of search and rescue efforts.

"We will update it in the afternoon or evening when the team conducts a search," he added.

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