Air France crash debris removal begins, officials say

RIO DE JANEIRO - The Brazilian navy took advantage of good weather Thursday to begin removing debris from Air France Flight 447 from the Atlantic Ocean, where it crashed Monday, air force officials said.

Helicopters were hoisting pieces from the water and dropping them onto three naval vessels. Searchers have not yet discovered where the bulk of the jet is located.

The officials said they found three more ocean sites with wreckage Thursday, expanding what was already a broad debris field.

Earlier in the day, a public interfaith service was held for the 228 victims at a 200-year-old Catholic Church in downtown Rio. Joining family members were members of the Brazilian armed forces, who are leading the recovery effort.

"It was a moving tribute to those who were lost," CNN Correspondent John Zarrella said.