Latest developments:

  • Najib reiterates search for MH370 will continue until aircraft is found.
  • New phase of deep sea search to cost up to RM181.3 million.
  • Hishammuddin denies audio recording of MH370 communication was tampered. 
Follow us as we bring the latest updates and coverage for the search of Flight MH370:

Proposed reception programme approved

4.30pm : In a communique, the governments of Australia, China and Malaysia, who met today to approve details of a new search phase, agreed on a proposed reception programme should MH370 be found.

In the event of confirmation of the final resting place of MH370, or identification of debris related to MH370, it was agreed that:

  • Any visit will take place between two to four weeks after confirmation;
  • Australia will provide support and information to the next of kin in terms of entry requirements to ensure their travel into and out of Australia are well taken care of;
  • The Western Australian government will take a lead role in organising rituals and services according to their traditions and religions, and facilitate arrangements for basic needs of the next of kin during their stay in Australia;
  • Malaysia Airlines will be responsible for travel arrangements for the next of kin from Malaysia and all other countries. The airline will also retain broad responsibility for their support during the visit including flights, accommodation, transportation and family support;
  • China will actively facilitate and support matters relating to the Chinese next of kin.
3pm: JACC confirm the deepwater robot Bluefin-21 side scan sonar will continue to be on loan from the US Navy for another four weeks at the request of the Australian government. Search operations will resume after Ocean Shield returns to the immediate search area after the completion of some maintenance work, JACC said in a press statement.

“The just-completed deployment began on March 31 with 56 personnel and specialist search equipment including a Towed Pinger Locator and Phoenix Autonomous Underwater Vehicle ‘Artemis’ Bluefin-21.

“The search to date has not uncovered any evidence of possible aircraft debris during operations, the data collected during the 35 days at sea will assist in narrowing the search area for the final resting place of MH370,” JACC said.

RM181.3mil price tag for new search phase

 

11.45am: Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss, China's Transport Minister Yang Chuntang and Malaysia's acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein hold a joint press conference in Canberra.

 

Here are the salient points of the press conference:

  • Malaysia will not be offering monetary reward for private companies to find Flight MH370, adding that anyone who finds the aircraft will earn widespread fame.
  • Hishammmuddin ( right ) denies speculation that released audio of communication between Flight MH370 and tower controllers was tampered.
  • Searchers expect the new phase of deep sea search will take one to two months to roll out as it will be more intensive but involving less people and more specialised equipment.
  • Tenders will be called for private companies after the required assets for this new phase of search is determined as Australia does not have assets capable to mapping the undersea at the current depth.
  • Cost of engaging the private sector for these assets is estimated at A$60 million (RM181.3 million).
  • In the interim, autonomous underwater vehicle (UAV) Bluefin-21 is continuing its operation in the Indian Ocean. 
M'sia will not rest until MH370 is found

 

8.45am:  Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak reiterates Malaysia's vow to continue searching for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 until it is found. 

 

"Although we have yet to produce results to date, the government is determined to continue the search efforts in cooperation with our partners particularly Australia which has shown extraordinary commitment to help Malaysia find our aircraft," he says during his monthly address to civil servants in Putrajaya.

Background:

  • The Beijing-bound Boeing 777-200ER aircraft went missing not long after taking off from KL International Airport in the early hours of March 8, with 12 crew members and 227 passengers. 
  • Authorities have determined that the plane intentionally turned back and altered its course shortly after cutting communications with tower controllers for unknown reasons and, based on satellite data, have estimated its last position to be in the south Indian Ocean. 
  • Australia leads the search in the south Indian Ocean. As of March 30, the Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC) is tasked with overseeing the operations, led by retired air marshal and former defence chief Angus Houston ( right ). 
  • The autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) Bluefin-21 was deployed on April 14 to conduct an undersea search where the Australia Defence Vessel Ocean Shield had picked up two pings similar that of black boxes on April 5 and two more on April 8 but failed to reacquire them again with the pinger locator. 
  • However, by April 28, with no sign of the wreckage, authorities have announced that the search will move to its next phase, which will focus on a larger and deeper area of the sea floor, while the aerial search will cease as it is highly unlikely any floating debris will be found at this stage.