UPDATE - Chile confirms wreckage of lost plane carrying 38 found

ADDS LOCATION OF WRECKAGE

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - Chile's Air Force chief confirmed the wreckage of an Antarctica destined lost plane with 38 people on board was found Thursday.

"The condition of the remains found on the plane makes it virtually impossible for survivors in this plane crash," Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Air Force Arturo Merino Nunez said at a news conference at Punta Arenas headquarters, along with Defense Minister Alberto Espina.

The wreckage was found in the middle of Drake Passage which links Cape Horn, Chile and the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica -- at a depth of 2,5 miles (4 kilometers), according to the Chilean Air Force's Twitter account.

Debris was found 311 miles (500 kilometers) off Tierra del Fuego, Chile, according to an earlier statement by the air force.

On Tuesday, the air force declared the C-130 Hercules plane crashed after losing radio contact for more than seven hours.

The plane was traveling to Antarctica to help maintain facilities at Base Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva, a Chilean base on the northern part of the continent, according to a statement.

It was carrying 17 crew members and 21 passengers.