THE search for Malaysia Airlines’ (MAS) flight MH370 bound for Beijing enters into its third day today, with the search widening from the waters off Vietnam to include the Straits of Malacca.
The authorities are looking at the possibility of the aircraft deviating from its course to Beijing and making a turn back.
At least 80 aircraft and ships from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, China, Australia and the US have been deployed to the South China Sea and the Straits of Malacca for the search and rescue operation.
Flight MH370, operated on the B777-200 aircraft, departed Kuala Lumpur at 00.41 on March 8 carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew members, and was expected to land in Beijing at 06.30 the same day.
Subang Air Traffic Control reported that it lost contact at 02.40 (local Malaysia time). The plane has since been missing and has not sent any distress signal.
At a press conference yesterday, Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak said all air travel security procedures at Malaysia airports will be reviewed and further enhanced, if deemed necessary, after the discovery that two passengers on the plane had travelled with stolen passports belonging to an Italian and an Austrian.
It was also learnt that the two passengers had bought their tickets from China Southern Airlines and the ticket numbers were contiguous, which meant that the tickets were issued together. It is still not known how the two had obtained visas to travel to China.
At press time, solid connection between the stolen passports and the missing plane has not been established.
In a media statement today, MAS said its primary focus is to care for the families, providing them with timely information, travel facilities, accommodation, meals, and medical and emotional support. The costs for these will all be borne by the airline.
The airline has provided initial financial assistance to all families over and above their basic needs. At least one well-trained caregiver is assigned to each family.
The airline is also working closely with the Chinese government to expedite the issuance of passports for the families as well as with the immigration of Malaysia for their visas into Malaysia.
When the aircraft is located, a Response Coordination Centre will be activated within the vicinity to support the needs of the families
