UPDATE [7:10am]: The search for MH370 has expanded to 500,000 square nautical miles (1.7mil sq km), from the shores of Sumatra to Hong Kong, as initial leads turned up empty. One thing the search and rescue team know is that the plane is not in the air as it would have run out of fuel by now. Full story here.
UPDATE [6:05am]: It's been three days but the missing MH370 flight has yet to be found. There are striking similarities to the 2009 crash of Air France flight AF447, such as outstanding plane safety records, no mayday calls and minor repairs done prior to the disappearances. Full story here.
UPDATE [3:03am]: The Airplane Health Management system which provides real-time monitoring and troubleshooting was not installed in the missing flight MH370. This system is however an optional item on Boeing jets. U.S planemaker Boeing declined to comment on this matter. Full story here.
Aviation experts say the aircraft will be found — eventually while some believe that it's increasingly clear that the plane somehow veered from its normal flight path and that the plane could be hundreds of kilometers from where it was last detected. Full story here.
UPDATE [1.43am]: The USS Kidd, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer joins USS Pinckney in looking for the missing aircraft. Kidd brings the same capabilities as Pinckney with its two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters with surveillance, communications relay, naval gunfire support and logistics support. Full story here.
Abdul Hamid Mohd Daud has not given up hope on his son, Fariq, 27, who is the first officer aboard MH370. "Our bags and passports are ready. We are prepared to leave at a moment's notice". Full story here.
AFP has asked industry experts about major questions surrounding the MH370 disappearance, such as the possibility of a mid-air disintegration, reasons behind the lack of any signals and other theories about what might have happened. Full Q&A here.
Abdul Hamid Mohd Daud has not given up hope on his son, Fariq, 27, who is the first officer aboard MH370. "Our bags and passports are ready. We are prepared to leave at a moment's notice". Full story here.
AFP has asked industry experts about major questions surrounding the MH370 disappearance, such as the possibility of a mid-air disintegration, reasons behind the lack of any signals and other theories about what might have happened. Full Q&A here.
UPDATE [12am]: A local bomoh and an anonymous psychic have come out, claiming to be able to locate the missing flight, while a Nigerian televangelist says he predicted the MH370 incident in July last year. Full story here.
Meanwhile, an Iranian link has appeared in the ticket transaction for the passengers with stolen passports. Details here.
And, Thailand has been exposed as a crime hub for forged documents. Read full story here.
UPDATE [9:46pm]: Guo Shaochun, head of a joint working group sent by the Chinese government to Malaysia, says his team is working with Malaysia to speed up the investigation, disseminate latest updates and to coordinate with all the nations involved in the search and rescue operation.
Shaochun and his team, who have just arrived in KLIA, will also work with Malaysia to assist the relatives of the Chinese passengers, to settle their accommodation and anything else they might need.
UPDATE [8:38pm]: In a just concluded press conference, authorities said they are investigating possibility that two dubious passengers are part of a stolen passport syndicate.
Department of Civil Aviation Director-General Azharuddin Abdul Rahman confirmed the men DID NOT look Asian. Asked what they looked like, he replied: "Do you know Balotelli (the famous Italian footballer). They look like Balotelli."
He added that the search radius has been extended to a 100 nautical miles divided into blocks. One ship and one plane covers each block.
He also spoke about the media reports coming out of Vietnam.
"Vietnam has reported whatever they have found to their media. Whenever we receive such news, we contact our counterparts in Vietnam and all the time, Vietnam authorities deny that they have found whatever it is that they have disclosed to the media."
Azharuddin also said all cabin baggage on the flight went through security screening, which complied fully with all protocols.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines also confirmed that the plane security complied with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations. MAS CEO Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said the plane's cockpit cannot be opened from the outside and that it had a camera feed showing who was outside the door.
UPDATE [7:36pm]: Ex-PM Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad chastises those who are 'playing the blame game' over the MH370 case. Full story here.
Meanwhile, an Iranian link has appeared in the ticket transaction for the passengers with stolen passports. Details here.
And, Thailand has been exposed as a crime hub for forged documents. Read full story here.
UPDATE [9:46pm]: Guo Shaochun, head of a joint working group sent by the Chinese government to Malaysia, says his team is working with Malaysia to speed up the investigation, disseminate latest updates and to coordinate with all the nations involved in the search and rescue operation.
Shaochun and his team, who have just arrived in KLIA, will also work with Malaysia to assist the relatives of the Chinese passengers, to settle their accommodation and anything else they might need.
UPDATE [8:38pm]: In a just concluded press conference, authorities said they are investigating possibility that two dubious passengers are part of a stolen passport syndicate.
Department of Civil Aviation Director-General Azharuddin Abdul Rahman confirmed the men DID NOT look Asian. Asked what they looked like, he replied: "Do you know Balotelli (the famous Italian footballer). They look like Balotelli."
He added that the search radius has been extended to a 100 nautical miles divided into blocks. One ship and one plane covers each block.
He also spoke about the media reports coming out of Vietnam.
"Vietnam has reported whatever they have found to their media. Whenever we receive such news, we contact our counterparts in Vietnam and all the time, Vietnam authorities deny that they have found whatever it is that they have disclosed to the media."
Azharuddin also said all cabin baggage on the flight went through security screening, which complied fully with all protocols.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines also confirmed that the plane security complied with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations. MAS CEO Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said the plane's cockpit cannot be opened from the outside and that it had a camera feed showing who was outside the door.
UPDATE [7:36pm]: Ex-PM Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad chastises those who are 'playing the blame game' over the MH370 case. Full story here.
UPDATE [7:04pm]: According to VN Express, a commercial plane from out of Hong Kong has reported seeing several large pieces of debris 60km southeast of Vung Tau, a coastal city in Vietnam.
Meanwhile, in Malaysia, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar says one of the two passengers using stolen passports has been identified, based on CCTV footage at KLIA. Khalid confirmed the man wasn't Malaysian. Full story here.
UPDATE [6:24pm]: Floating object spotted in ocean turns out to be cable reel and not life raft. Story here.
Also, analysis of oil slick reveals that it isn't aviation fuel from MH370, but from ship bunkering activities.
Meanwhile, further updates:
Authorities brush off Chinese group claiming to be responsible for missing plane. Full story here.
Hishamuddin denies passengers on stolen passports had Asian features. Full story here.
Pictures of passengers on stolen passports to be released soon. Full story here.
Meanwhile, in Malaysia, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar says one of the two passengers using stolen passports has been identified, based on CCTV footage at KLIA. Khalid confirmed the man wasn't Malaysian. Full story here.
UPDATE [6:24pm]: Floating object spotted in ocean turns out to be cable reel and not life raft. Story here.
Also, analysis of oil slick reveals that it isn't aviation fuel from MH370, but from ship bunkering activities.
Meanwhile, further updates:
Authorities brush off Chinese group claiming to be responsible for missing plane. Full story here.
Hishamuddin denies passengers on stolen passports had Asian features. Full story here.
Pictures of passengers on stolen passports to be released soon. Full story here.
Ex-NST head laments 'lax security at KLIA, blames third world mentality. Full story here.
UPDATE [5:50pm]: Local celebrities have joined in the outpouring of grief and sympathy for the passengers of flight MH370. Their tweets and messages here.
EXCLUSIVE UPDATE [5.30pm]: Lost Malaysian passports are reported to the Immigration Department but the information is not necessarily shared with Interpol, a Foreign Affairs Ministry source says. Read it here.
UPDATE [4.40pm]: Here are key points from the just concluded press conference by Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and Department of Civil Aviation director-general Azharuddin Abdul Rahman:
1)Authorities are trying to verify reports of a sighting of what looks like an inverted life raft in the sea. Ships being sent to investigate reports. Report here.
2) Search and rescue main continues to be the main focus. New Zealand is the latest country to join efforts, with a Lockheed P-3 Orion aircraft. In the West Coast, search and rescue operations have been extended and expanded.
3) Claims of the Chinese Martyr's Brigade taking responsibility for case - Hishammuddin says all allegations will be investigated, but the primary focus is to locate aircraft. "We can relay this kind of information to agencies to investigate but we don't want it to distract ongoing operations." Report here
4) Hishammuddin also said authorities have done a study of the whole passenger manifest. "We have the capacity to detail every single aspect of the passengers involved. Information has to be delivered to relevant authorities. When it doesn’t affect the investigation, you will be the first to know," he told media.
5) He added that pictures of the passengers on stolen passports have been released to international intelligence agencies that have access to information such as biometrics, dates of birth, fingerprints, etc.
6) Declined to answer question on whether police report in Kelantan where a low-flying plane was allegedly sighted early in the morning of March 8.
7) When asked about the issue of the stolen passports, Hishamuddin put it in perspective by stating that there are 40 million passports reported missing to Interpol.
8) Security in Malaysian airports remain the same as the government is not treating this as a security threat yet.
9) Repeated calls to not disseminate unverified information, to not distress families of passengers with false information.
UPDATE [3.04pm]: A veteran Malaysian military and commercial pilot said that with radar and transponder information alone, investigators would be able to tell if the plane blew up mid-air. Full report here.
UPDATE [2.25pm]: A video shows how the missing aircraft may have 'disintegrated mid-air', a possible theory behind the disappearance of MH370. Watch the video here.
UPDATE [12.35pm]: Reports of an object spotted by the Vietnamese, believed to be a door of the aircraft, on Sunday were not officially verified by Vietnam officials, the Department of Civil Aviation said. No aircraft debris has been seen after 60 hours, only wood and other debris not from the plane.Story here.
UPDATE [11.50am]: Vietnamese searchers say they cannot find the rectangular object - thought to be one of the doors of MH370 - that was spotted on Sunday afternoon. Read it here.
UPDATE [10.40am]: Malaysia Airlines has given initial financial assistance to all families 'over and above their basic needs', it said in a statement this morning. More families expected in KL today. The airline will provide the families travel facilities, accommodation, meals, medical and emotional support.
UPDATE [9.30am]: Authorities will investigate why immigration officers at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport had no questions about Italian and Austrian passengers with Asian facial features, Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. Full story here.
UPDATE [8:11am]: A video clip of a man dialing the number of his elder brother was shown on a Beijing Television's news bulletin. The call got connected, but no one picked up. He made the phone call three times. Full story here.
UPDATE [5:50pm]: Local celebrities have joined in the outpouring of grief and sympathy for the passengers of flight MH370. Their tweets and messages here.
EXCLUSIVE UPDATE [5.30pm]: Lost Malaysian passports are reported to the Immigration Department but the information is not necessarily shared with Interpol, a Foreign Affairs Ministry source says. Read it here.
UPDATE [4.40pm]: Here are key points from the just concluded press conference by Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and Department of Civil Aviation director-general Azharuddin Abdul Rahman:
1)Authorities are trying to verify reports of a sighting of what looks like an inverted life raft in the sea. Ships being sent to investigate reports. Report here.
2) Search and rescue main continues to be the main focus. New Zealand is the latest country to join efforts, with a Lockheed P-3 Orion aircraft. In the West Coast, search and rescue operations have been extended and expanded.
3) Claims of the Chinese Martyr's Brigade taking responsibility for case - Hishammuddin says all allegations will be investigated, but the primary focus is to locate aircraft. "We can relay this kind of information to agencies to investigate but we don't want it to distract ongoing operations." Report here
4) Hishammuddin also said authorities have done a study of the whole passenger manifest. "We have the capacity to detail every single aspect of the passengers involved. Information has to be delivered to relevant authorities. When it doesn’t affect the investigation, you will be the first to know," he told media.
5) He added that pictures of the passengers on stolen passports have been released to international intelligence agencies that have access to information such as biometrics, dates of birth, fingerprints, etc.
6) Declined to answer question on whether police report in Kelantan where a low-flying plane was allegedly sighted early in the morning of March 8.
7) When asked about the issue of the stolen passports, Hishamuddin put it in perspective by stating that there are 40 million passports reported missing to Interpol.
8) Security in Malaysian airports remain the same as the government is not treating this as a security threat yet.
9) Repeated calls to not disseminate unverified information, to not distress families of passengers with false information.
UPDATE [3.04pm]: A veteran Malaysian military and commercial pilot said that with radar and transponder information alone, investigators would be able to tell if the plane blew up mid-air. Full report here.
UPDATE [2.25pm]: A video shows how the missing aircraft may have 'disintegrated mid-air', a possible theory behind the disappearance of MH370. Watch the video here.
UPDATE [12.35pm]: Reports of an object spotted by the Vietnamese, believed to be a door of the aircraft, on Sunday were not officially verified by Vietnam officials, the Department of Civil Aviation said. No aircraft debris has been seen after 60 hours, only wood and other debris not from the plane.Story here.
UPDATE [11.50am]: Vietnamese searchers say they cannot find the rectangular object - thought to be one of the doors of MH370 - that was spotted on Sunday afternoon. Read it here.
UPDATE [10.40am]: Malaysia Airlines has given initial financial assistance to all families 'over and above their basic needs', it said in a statement this morning. More families expected in KL today. The airline will provide the families travel facilities, accommodation, meals, medical and emotional support.
UPDATE [9.30am]: Authorities will investigate why immigration officers at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport had no questions about Italian and Austrian passengers with Asian facial features, Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. Full story here.
UPDATE [8:11am]: A video clip of a man dialing the number of his elder brother was shown on a Beijing Television's news bulletin. The call got connected, but no one picked up. He made the phone call three times. Full story here.
UPDATE [7.35am]: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has sent samples of an oil slick found in the South China Sea, about 100 nautical miles from the Tok Bali Beach, Kelantan, to the Chemistry Department in Petaling Jaya. The result of the analysis is expected to be known tomorrow (Monday) afternoon. Full story here.
The 20 employees of Freescale Semiconductor who were on the MH370 flight 'were people with a lot of experience and technical background', says Mitch Haws, vice president, global communications and investor relations for Freescale Semiconductor. "It's definitely a loss for the company," he adds.Full story here.
UPDATE [4.46am]: French accident board BEA offers help in recovering missing flight MH370. There was a similar case in 2009 where Air France Flight 447 from Rio de Janeiro to Paris vanished in a storm. Full story here.
UPDATE [3.11am]: Thai police are investigating a 'passport ring' in Phuket, as details emerged of bookings made in Thailand with stolen European passports for the vanished Malaysia Airlines flight. Each ticket cost THB 20,215 (RM 2,036). Full story here .
UPDATE [1.17am]: Interpol confirmed that at least two passports - Austrian and Italian – recorded in its Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD) database were used by passengers on board missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH 370. Full story here.
UPDATE [12:40am]: Vietnamese authorities believe that the piece of debris
off the country's waters may be a door from the flight MH370. Full story here.
UPDATE [11:00pm]: Vietnamese media is quoting search and rescue officials as being 'surprised' at how tight-lipped the Malaysian government is. According to VN Express, Vietnam’s Chief of Air Administration Lai Xuan Thanh says they are receiving very little information from Malaysian partners, with most updates coming from international media.
UPDATE [10:49pm]: Sources say authorities are investigating a possible mid-air disintegration, due to the lack of debris from MH370. Full story here.
source http://my.news.yahoo.com/mas-aircraft-goes-missing--says-airline-023820132.html
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