Women, Welfare and Community Development Minister Rohani Abdul Karim has confirmed that the body recovered near the helicopter crash site is that of Plantation Industries and Commodities deputy minister Noriah Kasnon.

In a Facebook posting this afternoon, Rohani confirmed that she is at the Sarawak state police headquarters.

"I am here to receive the body of 'my younger sister' YB Noriah, who is the first victim of the helicopter accident," she said.

The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Services Department had earlier confirmed the recovery of a body of a female from the debris, but declined to reveal the identity.

"Yes, the body of the woman was found at 12pm," state Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations, Farhan Sufyan Borhan, said.

The body was uncovered near the site where debris from the crashed helicopter was found earlier, along Sungai Batang Lupar, Farhan told Malaysiakini.

[More to follow]