– Domani Spero
On March 8, Malaysia Airlines released a statement that it is still unable to establish any contact or determine the whereabouts of flight MH370. Other details below:
- Subang ATC had lost contact with the aircraft at 2.40am. The last known position of MH370 before it disappeared off the radar was 065515 North (longitude) and 1033443 East (latitude).
- MH370 is a Boeing 777-200 aircraft on a code share with China Southern Airlines. It departed Kuala Lumpur at 12.41 am today for Beijing. The aircraft was scheduled to land at Beijing International Airport at 6.30am local Beijing time. The flight had a total number of 227 passengers and 12 crew members. The passengers were from 14 different countries, most of whom are from China.
- An international search and rescue mission was mobilized this morning. At this stage, our search and rescue teams from Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam have failed to find evidence of any wreckage.
- For the passenger manifest of MH370, click here.
The U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur released the following statement regarding the missing plane. (full statement here):
The U.S. Embassy is closely following the developments regarding Malaysia Airlines flight #MH370. We extend our thoughts and prayers to the loved ones of those on board the Malaysia Airlines flight.
At this time, we can confirm that three U.S. citizens were on board. We are in contact with the individuals’ families. Out of respect for them, we are not providing additional information at this time. We are working to assess whether additional U.S. citizens may have been on board the flight.
[…]
Malaysia Airlines has established dedicated phone numbers for family members and friends of passengers to contact the airline directly for information. Family and friends should contact the airline at +603 8787 126 or +603 87871629. The airline is also providing updates to the general public on its website, http://www.malaysiaairlines.com/hq/en.html.
US Embassy KL also announced that USS Pinckney has been sent to assist in the search efforts:
The United States Navy Seventh Fleets is sending the USS Pinckney, along with a P-3C aircraft to assist in search efforts. The USS Pinckney (DDG 91), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, is en route to the southern coast of Vietnam to aid in the search efforts. The ship could be in vicinity of the missing jet within 24 hours and carries two MH-60R helicopters which can be equipped for search and rescue. In addition, A P-3C Orion aircraft will also depart shortly from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan bringing long-range search, radar and communications capabilities to the efforts.
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91) transits San Diego Bay. Pinckney helps provide deterrence, promote peace and security, preserve freedom of the seas, and humanitarian/disaster response within U.S. 3rd Fleet’s 50-million square mile area of responsibility in the eastern Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Todd C. Behrman/Released)
According to the U.S. Navy, USS Pinckney was conducting training and maritime security operations in international waters of the South China Sea.
Also, U.S. officials are reportedly investigating terrorism concerns after two people listed as passengers on the missing Malaysia Airlines jet turned out not to be on the plane and had reported their passports stolen in Thailand.
The passports stolen were from nationals of Italy and Austria; both countries are in the U.S. visa waiver program.
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Related articles
- Massive Search Underway for Missing Malaysia Airlines Flight (abcnews.go.com)
- Oil Slick Sighting Is First Sign Malaysia Airlines Plane May Have Crashed (nytimes.com)
- Malaysian Airlines Flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing Missing (voanews.com)
- Malaysia Airlines: ‘Flight MH370 still missing’ (itv.com)
- US Navy sends destroyer to help in plane search (washingtontimes.com)
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