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Malaysia missing plane: China widens ship search | Malaysia missing plane: China widens ship search |
(35 minutes later) | |
China has deployed ships to search new areas for the missing Malaysia Airlines plane, as Thailand said its radars may have tracked the flight shortly after it lost contact. | China has deployed ships to search new areas for the missing Malaysia Airlines plane, as Thailand said its radars may have tracked the flight shortly after it lost contact. |
China has sent nine ships to waters south-east of the Bay of Bengal and west of Indonesia. | China has sent nine ships to waters south-east of the Bay of Bengal and west of Indonesia. |
Teams from 26 countries are trying to find flight MH370, which went missing on 8 March with 239 people on board. | Teams from 26 countries are trying to find flight MH370, which went missing on 8 March with 239 people on board. |
The entire search area is now roughly the size of Australia. | The entire search area is now roughly the size of Australia. |
Malaysia says the plane, which was flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, was intentionally diverted and could have flown on either a northern or southern arc from its last known position in the Malacca Straits. | Malaysia says the plane, which was flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, was intentionally diverted and could have flown on either a northern or southern arc from its last known position in the Malacca Straits. |
Investigators are looking into the possibility that the aircraft's crew - or other individuals on the plane - were involved in its disappearance. | Investigators are looking into the possibility that the aircraft's crew - or other individuals on the plane - were involved in its disappearance. |
The Chinese vessels set off from Singapore early on Wednesday, to search an area of around 300,000 sq km (116,000 sq miles), state-run Xinhua news agency reported. | The Chinese vessels set off from Singapore early on Wednesday, to search an area of around 300,000 sq km (116,000 sq miles), state-run Xinhua news agency reported. |
The ships would focus on waters near Sumatra, away from regions being searched by other countries, it added. | The ships would focus on waters near Sumatra, away from regions being searched by other countries, it added. |
On Tuesday, China began searching its territory along the northern arc for the aircraft, following a request from the Malaysian authorities. | On Tuesday, China began searching its territory along the northern arc for the aircraft, following a request from the Malaysian authorities. |
'Low-flying airplane' | 'Low-flying airplane' |
Meanwhile, Thailand's air force said on Tuesday a re-examination of its radar data found what may have been the plane travelling west towards the Malacca Straits at 01:28 Malaysia time, shortly after it lost contact with air traffic controllers. | Meanwhile, Thailand's air force said on Tuesday a re-examination of its radar data found what may have been the plane travelling west towards the Malacca Straits at 01:28 Malaysia time, shortly after it lost contact with air traffic controllers. |
This would be consistent with Malaysia's military radar, which spotted the plane over the Malacca Straits - the opposite direction from its planned flight path - early on 8 March. | This would be consistent with Malaysia's military radar, which spotted the plane over the Malacca Straits - the opposite direction from its planned flight path - early on 8 March. |
Thai air force spokesman Montol Suchookorn said that the plane did not enter Thai air space, and he could not confirm whether it was flight MH370. | |
Thai radar later spotted the plane heading north and disappearing over the Andaman Sea, AFP reported, citing the spokesman. | Thai radar later spotted the plane heading north and disappearing over the Andaman Sea, AFP reported, citing the spokesman. |
The Thai military had previously said it had not detected any sign of the aircraft. | The Thai military had previously said it had not detected any sign of the aircraft. |
In another development, police in the Maldives are investigating reports that residents saw a "low-flying airplane" above Kuda Huvadhoo island the day the plane vanished, AFP news agency reports. | In another development, police in the Maldives are investigating reports that residents saw a "low-flying airplane" above Kuda Huvadhoo island the day the plane vanished, AFP news agency reports. |
Many leads and sightings of possible debris pursued so far have proven not to be linked to the plane. | Many leads and sightings of possible debris pursued so far have proven not to be linked to the plane. |
The entire search area is now 2.24m square nautical miles (7.68m sq km), Malaysian authorities said. | The entire search area is now 2.24m square nautical miles (7.68m sq km), Malaysian authorities said. |
Several countries, including Australia, the US, New Zealand, Korea, Japan and the UAE have committed planes and ships to the search and rescue effort. | Several countries, including Australia, the US, New Zealand, Korea, Japan and the UAE have committed planes and ships to the search and rescue effort. |
Relatives of the 153 Chinese passengers on board the plane have become increasingly frustrated with the lack of information. | Relatives of the 153 Chinese passengers on board the plane have become increasingly frustrated with the lack of information. |
Wen Wancheng, whose 33-year-old son Wen Yongsheng was on the plane, told the BBC: "We think the Malaysian government is not doing enough work. | Wen Wancheng, whose 33-year-old son Wen Yongsheng was on the plane, told the BBC: "We think the Malaysian government is not doing enough work. |
"The airline hasn't given us a satisfactory answer and the Malaysian officials are not here with us. If this situation continues, we will consider taking actions such as staging a protest." | "The airline hasn't given us a satisfactory answer and the Malaysian officials are not here with us. If this situation continues, we will consider taking actions such as staging a protest." |