More remains removed from PNG crash site

Recovery teams in Papua New Guinea have removed more remains from the wreckage of
the plane that crashed on its way to the Kokoda Track.
Nine Australians were among the 13 people on board the flight that crashed in the
steep and jungle-covered Owen Stanley Range on Tuesday.
The Australians were on their way to walk the iconic Kokoda Track.
The remains of six of the victims were transported on Friday to a funeral home in
Port Moresby where the process of identification has begun.
"As of this morning, they've ... extracted five bags," PNG's Civil Aviation
Authority director, Joseph Kintau, told AAP on Saturday.
Another two bags have since been removed, he said.
The remains of three of the victims have already been formally identified, Mr Kintau
said.
"It's difficult, as I've been saying. Some are whole parts, some are parts," he
said, referring to the process of identifying remains of the people on board.
"The (number of) bags doesn't necessarily tell you the (number of) bodies."
Mr Kintau also rejected media reports saying there may have been more people on
board the flight than 13.
"That is not true. One person was double-booked ... and one person was no-show. So
13 is the confirmed number - 11 passengers and two crew," he said.
The weather in the area has improved and authorities hope to be able to conclude
recovery efforts soon so that the site can be cordoned off for investigators, Mr
Kintau said.
It may be weeks before the identification process is complete and there's no word
yet on when the Australians will be brought home.
No Roads Expeditions, the tour company whose customers and staff were on the flight
that crashed, set out on a fresh trek on Saturday, as another group of Australians
ended theirs.
The Dan Chessel expedition group learnt about the crash of the Airlines PNG Twin
Otter plane when they were midway through the track at the village of Efogi.
Graham O'Conner from Adelaide said the tough walk was made even tougher by news of
the plane crash.
"Obviously we did hear about the crash and we were devastated that people have lost
their lives, and our sympathy goes out to all involved.
"The track is a wonderful place, it's a wonderful experience. We've all benefited
from it and it's a tragedy these people couldn't fulfill their dream," he said.
Martin Ellis from the Adelaide Hills said their group held a dawn service at Isurava
village on Saturday.
"We said a prayer for them as well," he said.
"It just shocks you, it puts a deep wound in you."