China spots new possible plane debris in southern Indian Ocean

23 Mar 2014 / 10:43 H.
    China spots new possible plane debris in southern Indian Ocean
    Hishammuddin shows the note from Chinese ambassador at a press conference near KLIA in Sepang, March 22, 2014. Looking on are director general of the Civil Aviation Department (DCA) Azharuddin Abdul Rahman (L), and Malaysia Airlines Group CEO Ahmad Jauhari Yahya. AFP
    China spots new possible plane debris in southern Indian Ocean
    This photo released by CCTV shows a new satellite image of a large floating object in the Indian Ocean that could be related to missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Chinese officials announced on March 22, 2014. AFP

KUALA LUMPUR: Just two days after two yet-to-be found objects that are possibly linked to flight MH370 were spotted thousands of kilometres off the shore of Perth in Australia, another sizeable object emerged in the Chinese satellite imagery today.
Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein who abruptly broke the latest news in the midst of a daily media briefing here said, according to preliminary reports from the Chinese government, the object measured 22.5 metres long and 13 metres wide.
He said images of the object was captured by Chinese satellites at an undisclosed location at the southern corridor.
Hishamuddin said Chinese aircraft and vessels have been dispatched to the site of the object to ascertain if it is a part of the missing aircraft structure.
He said the Chinese government will make an announcement on full details of the object in a few hours.
An earlier satellite imagery obtained from Australian satellites and the latest find, though announced to be credible, are unsubstantiated until physically found.
Certain deep-sea and aviation experts believe there is a high likelihood of the objects being flotsam and jetsam discarded by passing ships.
Hishamuddin said the search for the two earlier objects thousands of kilometres off the southwest coast of Perth, Australia has been intensified and yet to yield a favourable outcome.
"Despite improved visual search conditions yesterday, there were no sightings of the objects of interest. The conditions in the southern corridor are very challenging. The ocean varies between 1,150 metres and 7,000 metres in depth with very strong currents and rough seas.
"A warning has also been declared for Tropical Cyclone Gillian in the area. These men and women in the search teams will brave these conditions and weather to get to the said location." he said.
Hishamuddin said he had also spoken to US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel on the deployment of special deep sea search assets in view of losing the said objects to strong undercurrents and adverse weather.

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