This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-26659951
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 5 | Version 6 |
---|---|
Australia plane searchers investigate debris | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Australia is investigating two objects seen on satellite images that could potentially be linked to the missing Malaysia Airlines plane, officials say. | Australia is investigating two objects seen on satellite images that could potentially be linked to the missing Malaysia Airlines plane, officials say. |
Planes and ships from Australia, New Zealand and the US were heading to the area 2,500km (1,550 miles) south-west of Perth to search for the objects. | Planes and ships from Australia, New Zealand and the US were heading to the area 2,500km (1,550 miles) south-west of Perth to search for the objects. |
The largest appeared to be 24m in size, maritime authorities said, but warned they could be unrelated to the plane. | The largest appeared to be 24m in size, maritime authorities said, but warned they could be unrelated to the plane. |
Australia has been searching in the southern Indian Ocean for the aircraft. | Australia has been searching in the southern Indian Ocean for the aircraft. |
Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 was flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on 8 March when it lost contact with air traffic controllers. A total of 239 people were on board. | Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 was flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on 8 March when it lost contact with air traffic controllers. A total of 239 people were on board. |
Twenty-six nations have been involved in a major search for the missing plane, which Malaysia says was intentionally diverted. | Twenty-six nations have been involved in a major search for the missing plane, which Malaysia says was intentionally diverted. |
Investigators have been scrutinising the backgrounds of both the crew and the passengers, but have so far identified no evidence of terror or other potentially relevant links. | Investigators have been scrutinising the backgrounds of both the crew and the passengers, but have so far identified no evidence of terror or other potentially relevant links. |
A number of sightings of possible debris have been investigated in the course of the search but so far none have proved to be linked. | A number of sightings of possible debris have been investigated in the course of the search but so far none have proved to be linked. |
Southern corridor | Southern corridor |
Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced the discovery of the objects in parliament. | Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced the discovery of the objects in parliament. |
"The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (Amsa) has received information based on satellite information of objects possibly related to the search," Mr Abbott said. | "The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (Amsa) has received information based on satellite information of objects possibly related to the search," Mr Abbott said. |
"Following specialist analysis of this satellite imagery, two possible objects related to the search have been identified." | "Following specialist analysis of this satellite imagery, two possible objects related to the search have been identified." |
An Australian Orion aircraft is currently in the search area and three more planes, including US and New Zealand aircraft, are on their way. A merchant ship is due there later in the day and an Australian naval vessel, HMAS Success, is also on its way. | An Australian Orion aircraft is currently in the search area and three more planes, including US and New Zealand aircraft, are on their way. A merchant ship is due there later in the day and an Australian naval vessel, HMAS Success, is also on its way. |
Amsa said the debris had been located in waters some 2,500km south-west of the Australian city of Perth. | Amsa said the debris had been located in waters some 2,500km south-west of the Australian city of Perth. |
The objects identified were of a "reasonable size", Amsa's general manager John Young said. The largest object appeared to be about 24m in size, he said. | The objects identified were of a "reasonable size", Amsa's general manager John Young said. The largest object appeared to be about 24m in size, he said. |
"The objects are relatively indistinct. The indication to me is of objects that are of a reasonable size and probably awash with water and bobbing up and down over the surface," he said. | "The objects are relatively indistinct. The indication to me is of objects that are of a reasonable size and probably awash with water and bobbing up and down over the surface," he said. |
"This is a lead, it is probably the best lead we have right now. But we need to get there, find them, see them, assess them, to know whether it's really meaningful or not." | "This is a lead, it is probably the best lead we have right now. But we need to get there, find them, see them, assess them, to know whether it's really meaningful or not." |
He warned that poor visibility in the area could hamper the search. | He warned that poor visibility in the area could hamper the search. |
Australia informed Malaysian authorities of the development on Thursday morning. | Australia informed Malaysian authorities of the development on Thursday morning. |
"We have been following every single lead and this time I just hope that this time it is a positive development," Malaysia's Acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said. | "We have been following every single lead and this time I just hope that this time it is a positive development," Malaysia's Acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said. |
Satellite signal | Satellite signal |
Earlier this week, Australia was asked by Malaysia to take responsibility for the "southern corridor" search. | Earlier this week, Australia was asked by Malaysia to take responsibility for the "southern corridor" search. |
Investigators had identified two corridors of territory - one to the north and one to the south - spanning the possible positions of the plane about seven hours after take-off. | Investigators had identified two corridors of territory - one to the north and one to the south - spanning the possible positions of the plane about seven hours after take-off. |
This was based on its last faint signal to a satellite - an hourly "handshake'' broadcast even when the main communication systems are switched off. | This was based on its last faint signal to a satellite - an hourly "handshake'' broadcast even when the main communication systems are switched off. |
The plane lost contact with controllers over the South China Sea as it crossed from Malaysian to Vietnamese air space. | The plane lost contact with controllers over the South China Sea as it crossed from Malaysian to Vietnamese air space. |
Malaysian officials say it then turned west and its last position - according to Malaysian military radar - was over the Malacca Straits, in the opposite direction to its planned flight path. | Malaysian officials say it then turned west and its last position - according to Malaysian military radar - was over the Malacca Straits, in the opposite direction to its planned flight path. |
Attention has focused on the crew and on Wednesday multiple unidentified US officials said that the FBI was helping Malaysia analyse data from a flight simulator taken from the captain's home. | Attention has focused on the crew and on Wednesday multiple unidentified US officials said that the FBI was helping Malaysia analyse data from a flight simulator taken from the captain's home. |
Hishammuddin Hussein, at a press conference on Wednesday, stressed the captain should be considered innocent until proved otherwise and said that members of his family were co-operating with the investigation. | Hishammuddin Hussein, at a press conference on Wednesday, stressed the captain should be considered innocent until proved otherwise and said that members of his family were co-operating with the investigation. |
Meanwhile, relatives of those on board are still waiting for concrete news. | |
Bimal Sharma, a merchant navy captain whose sister Chandrika was on the plane, told the BBC he had experienced "hope and then despair and then hope and then despair". | |
"I have been very hopeful because it was intentionally diverted, so I don't believed it was crashed," he said. "It's been a very, very difficult time, and very emotionally stressing." | |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |