Most of them had flown up three days before in the same helicopter on an earlier rescue effort.

General Motors, which still licenses technology to Saab, blocked earlier rescue efforts, saying it did not want help competitors.

In addition to fewer shoppers, Sears remains mired in litigation with its old bankruptcy estate over terms related to Lampert's earlier rescue.

Wells Fargo, one of the strongest U.S. banks, said it didn't need the government help that Citigroup Inc required in an earlier rescue effort.

The Bainbridge earlier rescued 21 mariners from the Kokuka Courageous who abandoned ship, the Central Command statement said.

He visited the ruins of the collapsed Hotel Roa Roa in Palu, where a few survivors were earlier rescued.