Two objects spotted by Australian aircraft in the Indian Ocean, says Hishammuddin
An Australian aircraft spotted two objects today, one circular and the other rectangular, during a search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 in the Indian Ocean.
Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak received a phone call from his Australian counterpart today.
"Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott contacted Najib today to inform him of the discovery of the two objects," Hishammuddin said.
He said it has yet to be ascertained whether the two objects spotted by the Australian aircraft are linked to the missing MH370.
Hishamuddin said Abott had said the HMAS Success was in the vicinity and it was possible that the objects could be retrieved within the next few hours, or by tomorrow morning at the latest.
He said three search areas, totalling approximately 20,000 square nautical miles, have been identified for operations today and Australia anticipates that 10 aircraft will be used.
“HMAS Success remains the only vessel in the search area. A number of Chinese vessels are expected to commence arriving within the search area tomorrow,” he said.
Hishamuddin said three aircraft – two from Japan and one from the UAE – have departed from Subang today and are en route to the southern corridor.
“Six Malaysian ships, with three ship-borne helicopters, are now in northern part of the southern corridor. Ten Chinese ships are in the southern corridor, carrying out search and rescue operations. HMS Echo is currently refuelling in the Maldives and will be sailing to the southern corridor this evening,” he said.
In the northern corridor, Hishamuddin said Turkmenistan has confirmed they have not had any sightings of MH370 on their radar. – The Malaysian Insider, March 24, 2014.
