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New images ‘most credible’ lead yet on plane New satellite images ‘most credible’ lead yet on missing Malaysia Airlines plane
(35 minutes later)
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — New satellite images taken three days ago show more than 100 objects — some as long as 75 feet — that may have come from missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said Wednesday.KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — New satellite images taken three days ago show more than 100 objects — some as long as 75 feet — that may have come from missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said Wednesday.
The images, which Hishammuddin called the “most credible” lead so far in the search for the vanished Boeing 777 airliner, revealed items in the water nearly 1,600 miles from Perth, Australia. The images were provided by France’s Airbus Defence and Space company.The images, which Hishammuddin called the “most credible” lead so far in the search for the vanished Boeing 777 airliner, revealed items in the water nearly 1,600 miles from Perth, Australia. The images were provided by France’s Airbus Defence and Space company.
France gave Malaysian authorities the new information Tuesday, and an analysis by Malaysia’s remote sensing agency identified 122 objects. The Malaysian government said it has since shared the information with the Australian authorities leading the search in the southern Indian Ocean.France gave Malaysian authorities the new information Tuesday, and an analysis by Malaysia’s remote sensing agency identified 122 objects. The Malaysian government said it has since shared the information with the Australian authorities leading the search in the southern Indian Ocean.
“We cannot tell whether the potential objects are from MH370,” Hishammuddin said. “Nevertheless, this is another new lead that will help direct the search operation.”“We cannot tell whether the potential objects are from MH370,” Hishammuddin said. “Nevertheless, this is another new lead that will help direct the search operation.”
The images mark the fourth set of data from satellites showing objects that may have come from the plane drifting in the remote waters of the southern Indian Ocean.The images mark the fourth set of data from satellites showing objects that may have come from the plane drifting in the remote waters of the southern Indian Ocean.
A new surge of planes and ships arrived to assist in the growing hunt for the missing aircraft, which local government officials say went down in the southern Indian Ocean with 239 people on board on March 8, far off its planned flight path from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.A new surge of planes and ships arrived to assist in the growing hunt for the missing aircraft, which local government officials say went down in the southern Indian Ocean with 239 people on board on March 8, far off its planned flight path from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
Low-flying planes spotted potential debris as recently as two days ago, but the search had to be put on hold Tuesday because of bad weather.Low-flying planes spotted potential debris as recently as two days ago, but the search had to be put on hold Tuesday because of bad weather.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Wednesday that searchers have been able to see a “considerable” number of objects. “Bad weather and inaccessibility has so far prevented any of it being recovered, but we are confident that some will be,” he said.Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Wednesday that searchers have been able to see a “considerable” number of objects. “Bad weather and inaccessibility has so far prevented any of it being recovered, but we are confident that some will be,” he said.
Aircraft and ships from six countries — Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Japan, China and South Korea — tried to cover a nearly 50,000-square-mile area on Wednesday. The hurdles remain daunting. The area is a four-hour flight from Perth, the base of the Australian-led search. Because of fuel constraints, planes have only two to four hours to look before having to turn back.Aircraft and ships from six countries — Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Japan, China and South Korea — tried to cover a nearly 50,000-square-mile area on Wednesday. The hurdles remain daunting. The area is a four-hour flight from Perth, the base of the Australian-led search. Because of fuel constraints, planes have only two to four hours to look before having to turn back.
Seven planes were flying in the area Wednesday, with four more on the way, according to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. After a number of days when only the Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Success was available to follow up on any sightings in the sprawling area, four Chinese ships have now arrived to join the hunt.Seven planes were flying in the area Wednesday, with four more on the way, according to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. After a number of days when only the Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Success was available to follow up on any sightings in the sprawling area, four Chinese ships have now arrived to join the hunt.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak announced Monday night that a new analysis of satellite data showed that the plane’s voyage ended somewhere in the remote reaches of the Indian Ocean, dashing hopes that passengers and crew members survived. But physical confirmation — actual debris from the plane — has been elusive.Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak announced Monday night that a new analysis of satellite data showed that the plane’s voyage ended somewhere in the remote reaches of the Indian Ocean, dashing hopes that passengers and crew members survived. But physical confirmation — actual debris from the plane — has been elusive.
Over the last week, there have been various satellite images showing large blurry items. Observers on low-flying planes have seen objects both large and small bobbing in the water. But these leads have been like mirages: spotted, only to disappear again.Over the last week, there have been various satellite images showing large blurry items. Observers on low-flying planes have seen objects both large and small bobbing in the water. But these leads have been like mirages: spotted, only to disappear again.
The sheer challenge of this stage in the search was apparent on Wednesday. Observers saw three objects in the area late in the day: two items that were likely rope, plus a blue object. When the planes flew overhead again to take a look, they could not relocate the objects.The sheer challenge of this stage in the search was apparent on Wednesday. Observers saw three objects in the area late in the day: two items that were likely rope, plus a blue object. When the planes flew overhead again to take a look, they could not relocate the objects.
In addition, the search area Wednesday included the location where satellites picked up signs of 122 objects. Yet aside from the three objects spotted briefly, there were no other sightings of debris.In addition, the search area Wednesday included the location where satellites picked up signs of 122 objects. Yet aside from the three objects spotted briefly, there were no other sightings of debris.
In China, meanwhile, anger at the Malaysian government continued to swell, with celebrities vowing to boycott the country. Chinese on the Internet also wondered whether passengers from another country, such as the United States, would have been treated better.In China, meanwhile, anger at the Malaysian government continued to swell, with celebrities vowing to boycott the country. Chinese on the Internet also wondered whether passengers from another country, such as the United States, would have been treated better.
An online Sina poll asked Chinese Internet users whether the incident would influence whether they would be likely to travel to Malaysia in the future. Out of more than 58,000 respondents as of Wednesday afternoon, 78 percent said it would, 18 percent said it made no difference, and 4 percent said they were not sure.An online Sina poll asked Chinese Internet users whether the incident would influence whether they would be likely to travel to Malaysia in the future. Out of more than 58,000 respondents as of Wednesday afternoon, 78 percent said it would, 18 percent said it made no difference, and 4 percent said they were not sure.
In Beijing on Tuesday, days of simmering anger exploded into full-blown outrage as relatives of Chinese passengers on the missing flight marched to the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing to demand answers.In Beijing on Tuesday, days of simmering anger exploded into full-blown outrage as relatives of Chinese passengers on the missing flight marched to the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing to demand answers.
Fueling their rage was Malaysian officials’ statement late Monday that the plane went down in the Indian Ocean and that they assumed that none of the 227 passengers and 12 crew members survived. The flight manifest listed 153 passengers on the Beijing-bound flight as Chinese.Fueling their rage was Malaysian officials’ statement late Monday that the plane went down in the Indian Ocean and that they assumed that none of the 227 passengers and 12 crew members survived. The flight manifest listed 153 passengers on the Beijing-bound flight as Chinese.
The rowdy crowd threw water bottles at the embassy, scuffled with police, and hurled criticism, questions and curses at officials inside. Although the crowd included many relatives, several people appeared to be Chinese government agents in plain clothes whose mission seemed to be not only to guide the protest but also to keep it under control. Some relatives said they thought authorities were giving them a way to release their anger for fear that it could turn back on the Chinese government.The rowdy crowd threw water bottles at the embassy, scuffled with police, and hurled criticism, questions and curses at officials inside. Although the crowd included many relatives, several people appeared to be Chinese government agents in plain clothes whose mission seemed to be not only to guide the protest but also to keep it under control. Some relatives said they thought authorities were giving them a way to release their anger for fear that it could turn back on the Chinese government.
Under pressure to provide more evidence of how they came to their conclusion that the plane went down, Malaysian officials on Tuesday released more information describing how the British satellite company Inmarsat and the British Air Accidents Investigation Branch analyzed satellite data to conclude that Flight 370 had followed a southern route and, as Najib put it, “ended in the southern Indian Ocean.”Under pressure to provide more evidence of how they came to their conclusion that the plane went down, Malaysian officials on Tuesday released more information describing how the British satellite company Inmarsat and the British Air Accidents Investigation Branch analyzed satellite data to conclude that Flight 370 had followed a southern route and, as Najib put it, “ended in the southern Indian Ocean.”
The Australian-led search team suspended its hunt for the plane’s wreckage Tuesday because of rough weather but resumed the mission Wednesday morning. Choppy seas and long ocean swells were forecast for Wednesday and Thursday, but winds were expected to diminish from gale-force strength.
At a news conference Tuesday, Malaysia Airlines chief executive Ahmad Jauhari Yahya declined to comment on the ongoing investigation into what caused the jet to veer off course.At a news conference Tuesday, Malaysia Airlines chief executive Ahmad Jauhari Yahya declined to comment on the ongoing investigation into what caused the jet to veer off course.
“We do not know why,” he said. “We do not know how.”“We do not know why,” he said. “We do not know how.”
The U.S. Navy dispatched more equipment to Australia on Tuesday. But like much of that already assembled in Perth as part of the international effort, the additional equipment will come into play only if the search area — almost three times the size of California — narrows sharply to a few dozen square miles of the ocean bottom.The U.S. Navy dispatched more equipment to Australia on Tuesday. But like much of that already assembled in Perth as part of the international effort, the additional equipment will come into play only if the search area — almost three times the size of California — narrows sharply to a few dozen square miles of the ocean bottom.
NASA, whose satellites can spot objects as small as 50 feet, said it would target its satellites on the search area in the next few days.NASA, whose satellites can spot objects as small as 50 feet, said it would target its satellites on the search area in the next few days.
A state-sanctioned protest
Leading up to the Beijing protest, some of the plainclothesmen corralled the protesters onto buses, provided them with well-printed placards and T-shirts bearing slogans related to the plane, and lectured them on how to protest in an orderly fashion.
Many in the crowd, however, rejected the coaching, letting their most visceral emotions flow and accusing Malaysia’s leaders of lying. One woman cried, “Give me back my son,” and demanded a thorough explanation of how investigators had determined, using partial satellite data, that the plane had crashed somewhere far off the western coast of Australia.
For some families, however, the dominant question has long been whether passengers survived. With Monday’s announcement answering the question, many were beginning to focus on whom to blame.
Many in Beijing pointed fingers squarely at the Malaysian airline and government for missteps, especially in the early, most critical days of the investigation. And the Chinese government has not shied from doing the same.
Its Foreign Ministry has demanded a full accounting of how Malaysian investigators reached the conclusion that the plane crashed in the Indian Ocean. On Tuesday, according to state news media, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a special envoy to Kuala Lumpur to deal with the issue, increasing pressure on the Malaysian government.
Chinese officials’ handling of Tuesday’s protest, in many ways, appeared to be similarly calculated.
In recent days, government officials living at a fancier hotel next to where the passengers’ families are gathered at the Lido Hotel could be overheard discussing how to deal with the relatives’ emotional volatility.
Before the march on the embassy began in the morning, many unfamiliar men in plain clothes appeared at the Lido hotel and mixed in with the families. To some of the relatives — eyes still red from tears during Monday night’s traumatic revelation — the men clearly stuck out as they brightly chatted with uniformed police, surfed their smartphones and smiled.
The relatives were given matching T-shirts that read “Pray for MH370” and signs saying “We await you at home with tears” and “Please come back.”
They were led to buses outside the Lido Hotel. They were told to wait for another group of families coming from another hotel. In the meantime, in one bus, a man with a loudspeaker prepared the relatives.
“We don’t have any contradictions with the Chinese government, right?” he yelled into the loudspeaker, waiting for them to yell back, “Right!” “We don’t have any contradictions with the media, right?”
One relative, from a neighboring province, said the government’s tacit approval of the protest was clear. But at the same time, he said, he was glad for a chance, no matter the circumstances, to vent his anger.
“The anger is ours, and it is real,” he said. Those more deserving of that anger than anyone else, he said, were the Malaysian authorities.
A difficult search
The search area spans 469,407 square nautical miles of water roiled this week by high winds and heavy seas, which present a challenge to spotting any floating debris from the decks of ships or aircraft.The search area spans 469,407 square nautical miles of water roiled this week by high winds and heavy seas, which present a challenge to spotting any floating debris from the decks of ships or aircraft.
If debris is discovered and identified as coming from the missing plane, experts will set out to determine how far it has drifted in the 18 days since it disappeared and identify a significantly smaller search area. If debris is discovered and identified as coming from the missing plane, experts will set out to determine how far it has drifted since the airliner disappeared and identify a significantly smaller search area.
The additional equipment sent by the Pentagon on Tuesday included a sonar device that can be towed underwater from a boat to scan for debris and listen for a “ping” from the plane’s black box, and an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) akin to an unmanned submarine.The additional equipment sent by the Pentagon on Tuesday included a sonar device that can be towed underwater from a boat to scan for debris and listen for a “ping” from the plane’s black box, and an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) akin to an unmanned submarine.
The sonar is towed on a sled on a long tether that limits the towboat’s speed to less than three knots. The AUV — a Bluefin 21 — can move slightly faster. Three AUVs were used to search a 40-square-mile area of the Atlantic where an Air France airliner went down in 2009. That search took several months.The sonar is towed on a sled on a long tether that limits the towboat’s speed to less than three knots. The AUV — a Bluefin 21 — can move slightly faster. Three AUVs were used to search a 40-square-mile area of the Atlantic where an Air France airliner went down in 2009. That search took several months.
“We don’t have a debris field that we can go look for specifically,” Rear Adm. John Kirby said at the Pentagon on Tuesday. “It’s really important for everybody to understand that it’s being sent there to be ready should there be a need. And right now, there’s no need. We do not have a debris field. It’s only going to be valuable if you know you have something down there that’s worth going and taking a closer look at.”
While sonar can pick up metal objects on the ocean floor, the ping sent out by the emergency beacon attached to the black box will fall silent in a matter of days. The battery that powers it has a life of 30 days, so it is expected to die by April 7. Its signal carries for no more than three miles.While sonar can pick up metal objects on the ocean floor, the ping sent out by the emergency beacon attached to the black box will fall silent in a matter of days. The battery that powers it has a life of 30 days, so it is expected to die by April 7. Its signal carries for no more than three miles.
Kirby said he did not foresee the U.S. military taking a lead role in the search, “particularly not after the black box expires.”
Ashley Halsey III in Washington and Xu Jing, Liu Liu and Gu Jinglu in Beijing contributed to this report.Ashley Halsey III in Washington and Xu Jing, Liu Liu and Gu Jinglu in Beijing contributed to this report.