More ships loaded with sensitive equipment have arrived to search for the fuselage of AirAsia Flight 8501 and more than 150 people still missing, five days after the aircraft crashed into the sea.

A passenger aboard AirAsia Flight 8501 has become the first victim of the crash to be returned to her family, one of many painful reunions to come, as searchers struggled against wind and heavy rain to find more than 150 people still missing.

An AirAsia flight attendant identified by the name tag on her red uniform has become the first victim of AirAsia Flight 8501 to be returned to her family.