Due to improved weather conditions in the southern Indian Ocean, the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines plane continued yesterday. The multinational search campaign is being led by Australia. The search for the Malaysian plane is centered on a remote area of the southern Indian Ocean, about 2,500 kilometers southwest of the Australian city of Perth. In this area, according to the analysis of satellite data, flight MH370 ended.
The search involves six countries: the US, Japan, China, South Korea, New Zealand and Australia, which coordinates the search campaign. All of these countries are using their planes and ships during the search. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot said that they are doing everything possible in the search for the Boeing 777-200, which disappeared on March 8 with 239 people on board on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
On Tuesday, they had to suspend the search campaign due to the deterioration of weather conditions, but the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines plane continued yesterday. “We owe to the families, we owe to the worried world to do everything possible to find the wreckage and save the riddle of an incredibly unfortunate flight,” said Abbot, adding that they are ready to help the families of passengers.
On the plane there were 153 passengers from China, 38 from Malaysia, seven from Indonesia, six from Australia, five from India, four French, three Americans, two travelers each from New Zealand, Ukraine, Canada and Iran, and one passenger each from Russia, Taiwan and the Netherlands. Tens of relatives of Chinese passengers protested on Tuesday in front of the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing and requested more information about the vanished plane. They were protesting after Malaysian prime minister Nadzib Razak said that the analysis of satellite data showed that the plane crashed in the southern part of the Indian Ocean.
As reported by the Australian authorities responsible for safety at sea, 12 planes were participating in yesterday’s search campaign, covering the 80,000-square kilometer area divided into three parts. There were also four Chinese ships in the area looking for the remains of the missing plane.
Experts announced yesterday that the search for the black box of the Malaysia Airlines plane is hindered by several factors, from underwater volcanoes to heavy seas. They have pointed out that there is no guarantee of success for search campaigns, in which soldiers from six countries are looking for the wreckage of the plane. Erik van Sebille, oceanographer at the University of New South Wales, said that the plane crashed in an area that applies to the part of the ocean with the most wind and biggest waves, which can reach up to 15 meters during winter storms.
While the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines plane continues, they have received new satellite images. Yesterday, the French satellites detected 122 objects in the southern Indian Ocean. They are one to 23 meters large. The Malaysian authorities have reported that some of them are bright, suggesting that it is a solid substance. Objects were recorded by the French satellite on Sunday, March 23. This is a new track, but they do not know whether this is really debris from the plane.
Today, Malaysian authorities reported that the Thai satellite recorded about 300 floating objects. Objects from two to 15 meters large are scattered in the area around 2700 kilometers southwest of Perth, Australia, Thai authorities reported. Just like for the other satellite imagery, Thai authorities can not confirm that these are the remains of the missing plane. Recordings were made by a Thai observation satellite on Monday, but they needed a few days to have them reviewed.
Due to rain, strong winds and low clouds, Australians partially suspended search of the Malaysian plane. While the other ships are still remaining in the area of search, they have been alerted that extreme caution is necessary.
By: Janette Verdnik
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