A European Space Agency satellite has spotted a possible oil slick near the site where a missing EgyptAir plane is believed to have crashed with 66 people on board, ESA said Friday.
"According to the satellite image, the slick... was about 40 kilometres (25 miles) southeast of the last known location of the aircraft. The slick is about two kilometres long," the Netherlands-based ESA said in a statement.
Search teams are scouring the Mediterranean for the remains of the Airbus A320 that suddenly disappeared from radar on Thursday on a routine flight between Paris and Cairo.
"Since the plane disappeared, ESA and experts have been scrutinising satellite data to see if anything could be found to indicate wreckage of oil floating on the sea," ESA said.
The slick was spotted at 33°32' North and 29°13' East by ESA's Sentinel-1A radar satellite, and first seen at 1800 GMT on Thursday, the space agency said.
A second image taken Friday showed that the slick drifted by about 5.0 kilometres.
"There is however no guarantee that the slick is from the missing aircraft," ESA stressed.
The news came after Greek officials said that a body part, seats and some items of luggage were found Friday off the coast of Alexandria.
The Sentinel-2A satellite will pass over the area on Sunday after which space experts will continue to study images.
Both satellites were lanched as part of Europe's environmental monitoring Copernicus programme.
The latest air tragedy raised fears that the plane may have fallen victim to a terror attack, after the bombing of a Russian passenger jet by the Islamic State militant group over Egypt in October that killed all 224 people on board.
EgyptAir had prematurely announced on Thursday that wreckage from the plane had been found floating at sea off the island of Karpathos, northeast of Crete, only to backtrack after Greece denied any debris had been found.
The plane disappeared between Karpathos and the Egyptian coast in the early hours of Thursday morning, without its crew sending a distress signal.
AFP
Fri May 20 2016
The May 19, 2016 photo taken by the Sentinel-1A radar satellite and released by European Space Agency ESA on May 20, 2016 shows a slick in the eastern Mediterranean Sea in the same area that EgyptAir flight MS804 disappeared. - ESA via AP
COP29 climate summit draft proposes rich countries pay $250 billion per year
The draft finance deal criticised by both developed and developing nations.
Bomb squad sent to London's Gatwick Airport after terminal evacuation
This was following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage.
Kelantan urges caution amidst northeast monsoon rains
Kelantan has reminded the public in the state to refrain from outdoor activities with the arrival of the Northeast Monsoon season.
Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern receives UN leadership award
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern was given a global leadership award by the United Nations Foundation.
ICC'S arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant an apt decision - PM
The decision of the ICC to issue arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant is apt, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
KTMB provides two additional ETS trains for Christmas, school holidays
KTMB will provide two additional ETS trains for the KL Sentral-Padang Besar route and return trips in conjunction with the holidays.
BNM'S international reserves rise to USD118 bil as at Nov 15, 2024
Malaysia's international reserves rose to US$118.0 billion as at Nov 15, 2024, up from US$117.6 billion on Oct 30, 2024.
Findings by dark energy researchers back Einstein's conception of gravity
The findings announced are part of a years-long study of the history of the cosmos focusing upon dark energy.
NRES responds to Rimbawatch press release on COP29
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) wishes to offer the following clarifications to the issues raised.
Online Safety Bill and Anti-Cyberbullying Laws must carefully balance rights and protections
The Online Safety Advocacy Group (OSAG) stands united with people in Malaysia in the fight against serious online harms.
Malaysia's inflation at 1.9 pct in Oct 2024 - DOSM
Malaysia's inflation rate for October 2024 has increased to 1.9 per cent, up from 1.8 per cent in September this year.
Saudi Arabia showcases Vision 2030 goals at Airshow China 2024
For the first time, Saudi Arabia is participating in the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition held recently in Zhuhai.
King Charles' coronation cost GBP 71mil, govt accounts show
The coronation of Britain's King Charles cost taxpayers GBP72 million (US$90 million), official accounts have revealed.
Couple and associate charged with trafficking 51.9 kg of meth
A married couple and a man were charged in the Magistrate's Court here today with trafficking 51.974 kilogrammes of Methamphetamine.
PDRM to consult AGC in completing Teoh Beng Hock investigation
The police may seek new testimony from existing witnesses for additional insights into the investigation of Teoh Beng Hock's death.
Thai court rejects petition over ex-PM Thaksin's political influence
Thailand's Constitutional Court rejects a petition seeking to stop Thaksin Shinawatra from interfering in the running the Pheu Thai party.
Abidin takes oath of office as Sungai Bakap assemblyman
The State Assemblyman for Sungai Bakap, Abidin Ismail, was sworn in today at the State Assembly building, Lebuh Light.
UPNM cadet officer charged with injuring junior, stomping on him with spike boots
A cadet officer at UPNM pleaded not guilty to a charge of injuring his junior by stomping on the victim's stomach with spike boots.
How Indian billionaire Gautam Adani's alleged bribery scheme took off and unraveled
The indictment was unsealed on Nov. 20, prompting a $27 billion plunge in Adani Group companies' market value.
Elon Musk blasts Australia's planned ban on social media for children
Several countries have already vowed to curb social media use by children through legislation, but Australia's policy could become one of the most stringent.