Bill Nelson, D-Florida, who was among those briefed, told CNN there has been no evidence discovered since the start of the war in Iraq that suggests Speicher is still alive, but that he believes Speicher may be alive based on intelligence gathered before the war.

CNN: Initials may offer clue to missing Gulf War pilot

Mr Vernon-Jackson said there were about 400 Arctic convoy veterans still alive but that most would be in their late 80s and 90s.

BBC: Herbert MacNeil

But certain ideas may have trickled down and may still be alive elsewhere in the network.

CNN: March 20, 2013 -- Updated 1211 GMT (2011 HKT)

"There are many dead bodies but our top priority is finding those who may still be alive, " he told AFP news agency.

BBC: Asia

But he suggested there was still a chance that people would be found alive, three days after Tuesday's disaster.

BBC: Giuliani clings to hope

It's one thing to buy the contents of a living writer's cellar, but the Beinecke Library had to be sure that nothing else Mr. Lopez sold it was still alive.

WSJ: As Trash Goes, Authors' Clutter In the Right Hands Is Very Bankable