Helicopters and planes criss-crossed the sky as scores of boats search below — but officials say the multi-national hunt for the missing flight MH370 is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Malaysia on Monday doubled the search radius to 100 nautical miles (equivalent to 185 kilometres) around the point where the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) aircaft disappeared from radar over the South China Sea early Saturday.
“The biggest problem is just knowing where to look — especially at night,” Vo Van Tuan, a top Vietnamese military officer who is leading Vietnam’s search effort, told AFP.
The vastness of the search zone reflects authorities’ bafflement over the plane’s disappearance.
On the fifth day of the search mission, the operation had grown to involve 42 ships and 35 aircraft from Southeast Asian countries, India, Australia, China, New Zealand and the United States. Japan said Tuesday it was sending a plane to join the search efforts.
Vietnam has mobilised its first major search and rescue operation, deploying aircraft, boats and its commercial fishing fleet to help Malaysia search for the jet — even as relatives of the 239 people aboard said their hopes for a miracle were ebbing away.
The hunt to discover the plane’s fate will likely be “a long mission that requires patience,” Vietnamese Major General Do Minh Tuan told AFP as he flew on a military helicopter near the country’s southern Tho Chu island.
“If the plane crashed and sank, some debris will surface, and if we find that we will be able to pinpoint the location of the plane,” he said.
But multiple reports of “suspicious floating objects” have revealed nothing but flotsam, tired Vietnamese rescue officials, putting in 20-hour days, concede.
“In terms of our assessments and predictions - we have little hope of a positive outcome,” Pham Quy Tieu, deputy minister of transport, said Tuesday.
In southern Phu Quoc, normally a sleepy tourist town, hundreds of foreign journalists — who usually face strict visa restrictions — have arrived after the government set up a search and rescue base at the airport.
Officials have taken over rooms in the air traffic control tower at the new Phu Quoc international airport, where the atmosphere is calm and organised, but sparsely furnished rooms hint at Vietnam’s limited resources.
The communist country “has minimal capabilities for search and rescue at sea,” said Vietnam expert Carl Thayer, adding it was geared more towards dealing with natural disasters such as typhoons.
“The longer the search continues (Vietnam) will have problems sustaining its commitment,” he said.
The total search sphere now includes land on the Malaysian peninsula itself, the waters off its west coast, and an area to the north of the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Vietnam has said it will search on land if needed.
That covers an area far removed from the scheduled route of MAS flight MH370, which officials say may have inexplicably turned back towards Kuala Lumpur.
AFP
Wed Mar 12 2014
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.