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| Missing Malaysia Flight MH370: French satellite image of possible debris boosts search for missing plane | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Heavy cloud cover over parts of the southern Indian Ocean is hampering search efforts as rescue teams continue their desperate efforts to locate missing flight MH370. | Heavy cloud cover over parts of the southern Indian Ocean is hampering search efforts as rescue teams continue their desperate efforts to locate missing flight MH370. |
| Australian military aircraft were unable to find anything of significance as heavy cloud cover reduced the onboard crew's ability to see the ocean on Sunday. They have concluded their search for the day. | Australian military aircraft were unable to find anything of significance as heavy cloud cover reduced the onboard crew's ability to see the ocean on Sunday. They have concluded their search for the day. |
| Malaysian authorities offered distraught relatives yet another slim glimmer of hope today when they revealed they have received new satellite images from France showing possible further sightings of debris from missing flight MH370 in the southern Indian Ocean. | Malaysian authorities offered distraught relatives yet another slim glimmer of hope today when they revealed they have received new satellite images from France showing possible further sightings of debris from missing flight MH370 in the southern Indian Ocean. |
| Malaysia immediately relayed these images to the Australian rescue co-ordination centre, Hishammuddin Hussein, Malaysia’s defence and acting transport minister said. | Malaysia immediately relayed these images to the Australian rescue co-ordination centre, Hishammuddin Hussein, Malaysia’s defence and acting transport minister said. |
| A total of eight planes, including four military aircraft and four civil jets, supported by the HMAS Success, took part in today’s search effort, covering a total of 59,000 square kilometres across two areas to the south-west of Perth. | A total of eight planes, including four military aircraft and four civil jets, supported by the HMAS Success, took part in today’s search effort, covering a total of 59,000 square kilometres across two areas to the south-west of Perth. |
| Flight lieutenant Russ Adams and his crew returned earlier today without finding “anything of interest”. | Flight lieutenant Russ Adams and his crew returned earlier today without finding “anything of interest”. |
| He said the weather conditions had deteriorated since their last outing, but that other aircraft involved in the operation were getting better visibility. | He said the weather conditions had deteriorated since their last outing, but that other aircraft involved in the operation were getting better visibility. |
| The search will resume again tomorrow with the addition of two Chinese Ilyushin IL-76s and two Japanese P3 Orions. | The search will resume again tomorrow with the addition of two Chinese Ilyushin IL-76s and two Japanese P3 Orions. |
| But the threat of bad weather still looms, with a cyclone reported to be heading towards the search area at the moment, which will cause difficult conditions with strong winds, though it is expected to lose its strength over the next few days. | But the threat of bad weather still looms, with a cyclone reported to be heading towards the search area at the moment, which will cause difficult conditions with strong winds, though it is expected to lose its strength over the next few days. |
| Earlier today France released its own satellite image, believed to have been taken on Friday, showing possible debris. | Earlier today France released its own satellite image, believed to have been taken on Friday, showing possible debris. |
| It marks the third satellite image released since the flight carrying 239 people went missing three weeks ago. Both Australia and China have released their own satellite images showing potential objects that could be related to the missing flight. | It marks the third satellite image released since the flight carrying 239 people went missing three weeks ago. Both Australia and China have released their own satellite images showing potential objects that could be related to the missing flight. |
| The French foreign ministry has said that echoes from its satellite place the possible objects spotted at around 2,300km (1,430 miles) from Perth, and AMSA said the western boundary of the current search area is located 2,500km from the city. | The French foreign ministry has said that echoes from its satellite place the possible objects spotted at around 2,300km (1,430 miles) from Perth, and AMSA said the western boundary of the current search area is located 2,500km from the city. |
| A Malaysian official involved in the search operation told the Associated Press the new French satellite image showed possible objects spotted around 930km (575 miles) north of where the Australian and Chinese images of objects were seen. | A Malaysian official involved in the search operation told the Associated Press the new French satellite image showed possible objects spotted around 930km (575 miles) north of where the Australian and Chinese images of objects were seen. |
| The official, who declined to be named, said one of the objects was estimated to be about the same size as one captured on Tuesday by the Chinese satellite, which appeared to be 22 meters (72 feet) by 13 meters (43 feet). | The official, who declined to be named, said one of the objects was estimated to be about the same size as one captured on Tuesday by the Chinese satellite, which appeared to be 22 meters (72 feet) by 13 meters (43 feet). |
| The official stressed that the French satellite image is fuzzy and unclear, making it difficult to determine the exact dimensions of the possible debris. | The official stressed that the French satellite image is fuzzy and unclear, making it difficult to determine the exact dimensions of the possible debris. |
| Today the Telegraph reported the investigation into how the plane carrying 239 people on 8 March went missing is becoming increasingly centred on the two pilots, following an extensive analysis of data from the plane. | Today the Telegraph reported the investigation into how the plane carrying 239 people on 8 March went missing is becoming increasingly centred on the two pilots, following an extensive analysis of data from the plane. |
| According to senior sources involved in the investigation, the paper reports that authorities remain certain the disappearance of flight MH370 was a result of a “deliberate act” by a “person or persons on board”. | According to senior sources involved in the investigation, the paper reports that authorities remain certain the disappearance of flight MH370 was a result of a “deliberate act” by a “person or persons on board”. |
| Malaysian police have denied reports in the Mail Online that the missing flight’s Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah received a two minute phone call from a woman before take-off. | Malaysian police have denied reports in the Mail Online that the missing flight’s Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah received a two minute phone call from a woman before take-off. |
| The woman is supposed to have bought a pay-as-you-go phone to make the call with fake ID and the paper claims the discovery raises fears of a possible link between the Captain and terrorist groups who use untraceable SIM cards. | The woman is supposed to have bought a pay-as-you-go phone to make the call with fake ID and the paper claims the discovery raises fears of a possible link between the Captain and terrorist groups who use untraceable SIM cards. |
| Assistant commissioner Datin Asmawati has called the claims “mere speculations.” | Assistant commissioner Datin Asmawati has called the claims “mere speculations.” |
| He said: “Please be advised that the Royal Malaysia Police take no responsibility over the dissemination of such information which originates from unnamed and unverified sources.” | He said: “Please be advised that the Royal Malaysia Police take no responsibility over the dissemination of such information which originates from unnamed and unverified sources.” |
| “Secondly the IGP has never issued any public statement that categorically places the MH370 investigation under any act of terrorism,” he added. | “Secondly the IGP has never issued any public statement that categorically places the MH370 investigation under any act of terrorism,” he added. |
| The Australian Maritime Safety Authority map of the planned search area for missing Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 on March 21, 2014 Yesterday, planes and ships were scrambled to find a wooden pallet and other debris including apparent strapping belts of different colours, which was spotted by a civilian plane but which had yet to be closely examined. Pallets are commonly used in shipping but can also be used in cargo containers carried on planes. | The Australian Maritime Safety Authority map of the planned search area for missing Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 on March 21, 2014 Yesterday, planes and ships were scrambled to find a wooden pallet and other debris including apparent strapping belts of different colours, which was spotted by a civilian plane but which had yet to be closely examined. Pallets are commonly used in shipping but can also be used in cargo containers carried on planes. |
| Mike Barton, chief of Australian Maritime Safety Authority's 's rescue coordination centre, told reporters in Canberra, Australia, that the wooden pallet was spotted by a civilian search aircraft, surrounded by several other objects including what appeared to be strapping belts of different colors. | Mike Barton, chief of Australian Maritime Safety Authority's 's rescue coordination centre, told reporters in Canberra, Australia, that the wooden pallet was spotted by a civilian search aircraft, surrounded by several other objects including what appeared to be strapping belts of different colors. |
| A New Zealand P3 Orion military plane was then sent to find it but failed, he said. | A New Zealand P3 Orion military plane was then sent to find it but failed, he said. |
| "We went to some of the expert airlines and the use of wooden pallets is quite common in the industry," Mr Barton said. "They're usually packed into another container which is loaded in the belly of the aircraft. ... It's a possible lead, but we will need to be very certain that this is a pallet because pallets are used in the shipping industry as well." | "We went to some of the expert airlines and the use of wooden pallets is quite common in the industry," Mr Barton said. "They're usually packed into another container which is loaded in the belly of the aircraft. ... It's a possible lead, but we will need to be very certain that this is a pallet because pallets are used in the shipping industry as well." |
| Despite the frustrating lack of answers, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott was upbeat when he spoke to reporters earlier today. | Despite the frustrating lack of answers, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott was upbeat when he spoke to reporters earlier today. |
| "Obviously we have now had a number of very credible leads and there is increasing hope - no more than hope, no more than hope - that we might be on the road to discovering what did happen to this ill-fated aircraft," Abbott told reporters in Papua New Guinea. | "Obviously we have now had a number of very credible leads and there is increasing hope - no more than hope, no more than hope - that we might be on the road to discovering what did happen to this ill-fated aircraft," Abbott told reporters in Papua New Guinea. |
| AMSA said it had refined the search based on the latest clue from the Chinese satellite showing an object that appeared to be 72 feet by 43 feet, when it started its mission today. It said the object's position also fell within yesterday's search area but it had not been sighted. | AMSA said it had refined the search based on the latest clue from the Chinese satellite showing an object that appeared to be 72 feet by 43 feet, when it started its mission today. It said the object's position also fell within yesterday's search area but it had not been sighted. |
| Yesterday's search was split into two areas within the same proximity covering 22,800 square miles. These areas have been determined by drift modelling, the AMSA said. | Yesterday's search was split into two areas within the same proximity covering 22,800 square miles. These areas have been determined by drift modelling, the AMSA said. |
| Malaysian Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein put a message on his Twitter account asking those in churches around the country to offer a "prayer please" for the passengers and crew on Fight 370. | Malaysian Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein put a message on his Twitter account asking those in churches around the country to offer a "prayer please" for the passengers and crew on Fight 370. |