Failed ... a ew attempt to lift the submerged fuselage of AirAsia Flight QZ8501 failed on Sunday when a wire rope snapped. Picture: Crest Onyx via CNN Source: Supplied

Navy spokesman Manahan Simorangkir said the strong current was the main obstacle. The rope had been fastened and linked to a ship, but broke again as the fuselage was lifted.

“We could not fight against nature,” Mr Simorangkir said. “We just hope the weather would change and be conducive.”

AIRASIA: Divers swim down to fuselage

JAVA SEA: Eerie images from underwater show fuselage

Disaster ... Indonesian officials saida second attempt to lift the submerged fuselage of AirAsia Flight QZ8501 failed when a wire rope snapped after the wreckage reached the surface of the water. Picture: Crest Onyx via CNN Source: Supplied

The attempt on Saturday failed because lifting balloons deflated. Divers reached the fuselage for the first time on Friday. Most of the victims are believed to be inside.

Mr Simorangkir said rescuers retrieved one body on Sunday that floated as the fuselage was being raised.

Underwater grave ... the wreckage of AirAsia Flight QZ 8501 lying on the sea floor in the Java Sea. Picture: AP Source: AFP

Reovery ... military personnel load a bodybag containing what is believed to be a victim of AirAsia QZ 8501 onto a helicopter on the deck of Indonesian Navy ship KRI Banda Aceh in the Java Sea. Picture: AP Photo/Natanael Pohan Source: AP

A total of 70 bodies have been discovered from Flight 8501, which crashed on December 28 with 162 people on board while flying from Indonesia’s second largest city of Surabaya, to Singapore.

Wreckage ... the second attempt to lift the fuselage of the crashed AirAsia jetliner has failed after a rope linking the lifting balloons broke. Picture: AP Photo/BASARNAS Source: AFP

Dozens of navy divers have been fighting strong current and poor visibility while trying to lift the fuselage from 30-metre-deep waters in the Java Sea.

The cockpit has been located about 500 metres away, and the bodies of the pilot and co-pilot are believed to be there.

Inflatables ... The giant lifting balloon bags used to try and lift the fuselage. Picture: Yuhda Manx/AFP Source: AP

Bad weather is a suspected factor in the crash. The pilots asked for permission to climb to a higher altitude, but air traffic controllers couldn’t allow it because of heavy air traffic. The flight disappeared soon afterwards.

Transportation authorities have ruled out sabotage and say a preliminary accident report is expected to be submitted to the International Civil Aviation Organisation this coming week.

Victims ... Indonesian rescue personnel load coffins bearing bodies recovered from the underwater wreckage of the ill-fated AirAsia Flight QZ8501 onto a military plane in Pangkalan Bun. Picture: AFP/Yudha Manx Source: AP