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Flight MH370: Search shifted after 'credible lead' Flight MH370: Search shifted after 'credible lead'
(35 minutes later)
The search area for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has been moved following a "new credible lead", Australian officials said on Friday. The search area for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has been moved following a "new credible lead", Australian officials say.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (Amsa) said the search would now focus 1,100km further north-east in the southern Indian Ocean.The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (Amsa) said the search would now focus 1,100km further north-east in the southern Indian Ocean.
It said the new information was based on analysis of radar data of the missing plane before contact was lost. It said the new information was based on refined analysis of radar data before contact was lost with the plane.
The airliner disappeared on 8 March with 239 people on board.The airliner disappeared on 8 March with 239 people on board.
Malaysian officials have concluded that, based on satellite data, it flew into the sea somewhere in the southern Indian Ocean. So far no trace of it has been found.Malaysian officials have concluded that, based on satellite data, it flew into the sea somewhere in the southern Indian Ocean. So far no trace of it has been found.
Search efforts had until Friday morning been focussing on an area some 2,500km (1,550 miles) to the south-west of the Australian city of Perth.Search efforts had until Friday morning been focussing on an area some 2,500km (1,550 miles) to the south-west of the Australian city of Perth.
Using satellite images, several nations have identified objects floating in the sea in that area, but there has been no confirmation as yet that any of the objects related to the plane. But John Young, general manager of Amsa's emergency response division, said that teams had "moved on" from that area based on the new information.
'Travelling faster''Travelling faster'
A statement from Amsa - which is co-ordinating the search - said the latest advice had come from the international investigation team in Malaysia.A statement from Amsa - which is co-ordinating the search - said the latest advice had come from the international investigation team in Malaysia.
It said that the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) had examined the advice "and determined that this is the most credible lead to where debris may be located". The new information was based on "continuing analysis of radar data between the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca before radar contact was lost", it said.
It said that the new search area was about 1,850km west of Perth and covered some 319,000 sq km (123,000 sq miles).
"The new information is based on continuing analysis of radar data between the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca before radar contact was lost," the statement said.
"It indicated that the aircraft was travelling faster than previously estimated, resulting in increased fuel usage and reducing the possible distance the aircraft travelled south into the Indian Ocean.""It indicated that the aircraft was travelling faster than previously estimated, resulting in increased fuel usage and reducing the possible distance the aircraft travelled south into the Indian Ocean."
The potential flight path could be the subject of further refinement as investigations continued, the statement said, adding that satellites would now focus on the new area. It said that the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) had determined that this was "the most credible lead to where debris may be located".
"This is a credible new lead and will be thoroughly investigated today," Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said. The new search area is about 1,850km west of Perth and covers some 319,000 sq km (123,000 sq miles).
The BBC's Jonathan Head in Perth says the new zone is closer to Western Australia, which should enable the surveillance aircraft to spend longer scanning the sea for debris. Mr Young, of Amsa, said it represented the "best estimate of the area in which the aircraft is likely to have entered the ocean" and took account of possible drift.
Amsa said nine military aircraft would be flying out on Friday with a civilian aircraft acting as a communications relay in the search area. The new search area was outside the "roaring forties" bad weather zone, meaning conditions were likely to be better. Aircraft would also be able to spend more time in the area because it was closer to land, he said.
Searches by planes were suspended on Thursday because of bad weather but resumed on Friday morning. The potential flight path could be the subject of further refinement as investigations continued, Amsa said, adding that satellites would now focus on the new area.
Five ships from China and one from Australia are also taking part in the search. Amsa said nine military aircraft would be scouring the area on Friday with a civilian aircraft acting as a communications relay.
Five ships from China and one from Australia were also relocating to that area. One Chinese patrol ship was already at the scene, Amsa said.
Major challengeMajor challenge
Mystery still surrounds the fate of the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 which vanished from civilian radar screens less than an hour after taking off from Kuala Lumpur on a routine flight to Beijing.Mystery still surrounds the fate of the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 which vanished from civilian radar screens less than an hour after taking off from Kuala Lumpur on a routine flight to Beijing.
The reason why the airliner veered off course and lost contact with air traffic controllers continues to baffle experts.The reason why the airliner veered off course and lost contact with air traffic controllers continues to baffle experts.
The remote and vast expanse of ocean, which is notorious for its harsh weather conditions, has turned the search into a major challenge. The remote and vast expanse of ocean has turned the search into a major challenge.
Search planes have been hunting for objects seen in satellite images taken by various nations. Using satellite images, several nations have identified objects floating in the sea in the previous search area, but these have not been located and there is no evidence that they are related to the plane.
On Friday Japan said its satellite images had captured 10 objects in the earlier search area, a day after a Thai satellite detected some 300 objects in an area about 2,700km south-west of Perth.
Images from a French satellite are also purported to show 122 floating objects about 200km (120 miles) away from the Thai sighting. However, search teams have been unable to locate any of these objects.
Some relatives of the flight's 153 Chinese passengers have refused to accept the Malaysian account of events and accused officials of withholding information.Some relatives of the flight's 153 Chinese passengers have refused to accept the Malaysian account of events and accused officials of withholding information.
Earlier, China's state news agency Xinhua said that Chinese insurance firms had begun to offer payouts to the relatives.Earlier, China's state news agency Xinhua said that Chinese insurance firms had begun to offer payouts to the relatives.
On Thursday, Malaysia Airlines took out a full-page condolence advertisement in the New Straits Times, saying: "Our sincerest condolences go out to the loved ones of the 239 passengers, friends and colleagues. Words alone cannot express our enormous sorrow and pain."On Thursday, Malaysia Airlines took out a full-page condolence advertisement in the New Straits Times, saying: "Our sincerest condolences go out to the loved ones of the 239 passengers, friends and colleagues. Words alone cannot express our enormous sorrow and pain."