Australia searches Indian Ocean for trace of MH370

Australia searches Indian Ocean for trace of MH370
By admin


Australia has assumed responsibility for coordinating the southern Indian Ocean search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. 

Prime Minister Tony Abbott revealed that Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak had made the request during a telephone call yesterday, following the revelation that a “deliberation action” lay at the heart of the aircraft’s disappearance.

“I told Prime Minister Najib that Australia stands with Malaysia at this very difficult time and would be pleased to take on this additional responsibility,” Abbott said.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is leading the search operation through its Rescue Coordination Centre – Australia and is supported by the Australian Defence Force among others.

The two RAAF maritime patrol aircraft that were sent last week to join the search efforts off the coast of Malaysia have been redeployed to the southern Indian Ocean, based out of Western Australia. They will focus on searching the area around the Cocos Islands and Christmas Island.

“I also informed Prime Minister Najib that Australia would make additional maritime surveillance aircraft available to extend the effort to locate MH370,” Abbott said. “Defence has commenced planning to provide two additional AP‚Äë3C Orions within the next 24 hours.”

Australia will coordinate assets from a number of other countries as part of the search, including surveillance aircraft from New Zealand and the US.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian minister for defence and acting minister of transport Hishammuddin Hussein told a press briefing that the search for the missing Boeing 777 has "entered a new phase".

“This is a significant recalibration of the search,” he said. “The search and rescue operation continues to be a multi-national effort, one led and co-ordinated by Malaysia.”

He confirmed that Prime Minister Najib has spoken with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, the President of Turkmenistan, the President of Kazakhstan and Prime Minister of India. He has also briefed representatives from countries along the northern and southern corridors considered the most likely routes of the missing aircraft.

“Malaysian officials are requesting support from these countries – as well as others. This support includes general satellite data, radar playback – both primary and secondary – provisions for ground, sea and aerial search, and assets as appropriate.”

The number of countries involved in the search and rescue operation has increased from 14 to 25. There is still no sign of the aircraft that vanished on its flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, carrying 227 passengers, including six Australians, and 12 crew members.

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