MH370 missing 20140321

21 Mar 2014 5:41 am GMT

Before I hand over to my colleague, Paul Farrell, here are the latest developments in the ongoing search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

• Five aircraft will be scanning the search zone where four days ago satellite images showed debris that could belong to the missing flight. Due to the remoteness of the area, the planes can only spend two hours in the zone, before returning to Base Pearce near Perth.
• So far no trace has been found of the debris.
• China has sent three warships to the area to assist in the search, but there is no indication when they will arrive.
• Rough seas and thick fog, which on Thursday hampered the search efforts, have slightly cleared.

20 Mar 2014 10:10 pm GMT

Here’s the latest summary:

• The search for two objects spotted on satellite images which Australian authorities believe could belong to the missing flight, will shortly resume in the south Indian Ocean.
• Four search aircraft will be scanning the area, joined by a Norwegian commercial ship which carried on searching overnight despite thick fog and rough seas.
• Australia’s defence minister cautioned “this may well be nothing”, though a Maritime Safety Authority official said the images are “probably our best lead right now”.
• Malaysian authorities have described the images as a “credible lead”, but acting transport minister Hishammuddin Hussein added: “Search and rescue operations will continue” in other search corridors.
• The objects, one estimated to be 79ft (24m) long, could have drifted dozens of miles, experts warned. The remote area is known for poor weather and strong, unpredictable currents.
• Families of missing Chinese passengers insisted loved ones could still be alive. Chinese authorities have sent police and ambulances to the Beijing hotel where many relatives are waiting.

Source: The Guardian