#MH370 : OPERATIONAL UPDATE

MH370 PRESS STATEMENT
BY MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, MALAYSIA
THURSDAY, 27 MARCH 2014

The planned area of search today was 16,298 square nautical miles in the West sector, and 6,506 square nautical miles in the East sector. 
 

The area identified by the Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (MRSA) yesterday – where the 122 potential objects were sighted – was also due to be searched today.

Today, nine planes travelled to the search area – five in the East sector and four in the West sector.
 

In the East sector, searches by air were conducted by:

·         2 Australian civilian aircraft.
·         1 Chinese Ilyushin IL-76.
·         1 New Zealand civil aircraft.
·         1 Japanese Gulfstream.

In the West sector, searches by air were conducted by:
·         2 Australian P-3 Orions.
·         2 Australian civil aircraft.

Today 6 ships were deployed in the search area – one in the East sector and five in the West sector.

In the East sector, searches by ship were conducted by:

·         1 Chinese ship (the Xue Long).

In the West sector, searches by ship were conducted by:

·      4 Chinese ships (the Kunlunshan, Haikou, Qiandaohui, and Zhonghaishaohua).
·         1 Australian ship (the HMAS Success).

One Chinese ship (the Hai Xun) is expected to arrive in the search area tonight.
 

Today the weather deteriorated in the search area and search operations were suspended at 11:40am.

 

MALAYSIAN TEAM TO PERTH
 

Malaysia is in the process of sending a team, comprised of the DCA, MAS, the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Royal Malaysian Air Force, to Perth. This team will work closely with the Australian Rescue Co-ordination Centre to assist with the search operation.