MH370: SAR enters its seventh day; spotlight on 'three large objects'

KUALA LUMPUR: The search and rescue mission (SAR) will enter its seventh day, with no traces of the missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) MH370 plane. The main highlight on the sixth day was on the three large floating objects based on images by Chinese satellites.

However, Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein later confirmed that there were no objects found at South China Sea. He also said unverified information may slow down the search and rescue operation.

Here are highlights from the sixth day of the search and rescue operation:

• Based on a CNN report, China said its satellites have detected three large floating objects in a suspected crash site near where a missing Malaysian jet lost contact.
• The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) deployed a multi-purpose Bombardier aircraft into the South China Sea to investigate the site.
• Based on a Reuters report, China’s Civil Aviation chief, Li JianXiang said there is no evidence that the three floating objects traced by Chinese satellite at the South China Sea is connected to the missing MH370.
• Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein later confirmed no objects were found and said that unverified information may slow down the search and rescue operation.
• He also said a news report, suggesting that flight MH370 wasairborne for a few four hours after it disappeared from radar, is inaccurate.
• The Royal Malaysia Police and the international police, Interpol is currently investigating the background of a man of Uyghur ethnicity who boarded the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) plane MH370.
• Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahamd Zahid Hamidi said no disciplinary action will be taken against the four Immigration officers who had inspected and allowed the two carrying stolen passport to board the MH370 as they followed the SOP set by the Immigration Department.
• Malaysia Airlines (MAS) will retire the MH370 and MH371 flight codes from its Kuala Lumpur- Beijing-Kuala Lumpur route, as a mark of respect to the passengers and crew on board the flight MH370.

Source: Astro Awani