It have almost been 3 weeks since Malaysia Airlines’ MH370 went missing not long after it took off from Kuala Lumpur with Beijing as its destination. So much theories have been suggested and so many false alarms have happened but just moments ago, the Prime Minister of Malaysia has delivered a devastating news: authorities have concluded that the aircraft has went down in the southern area of Indian Ocean.
According to the PM, the conclusion came after a further analysis on satellite data by Inmarsat alongside UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch. The PM also stated that the said area happens to be in “a remote location” and “far from any possible landing site“.
With that, we would like to convey our heartfelt condolences to the family members and friends of the crews and passengers of Malaysia Airlines MH370. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
We also would like to say thank you to all parties and personnel that were involved in the SAR operation of MH370 for the past few weeks. Meanwhile, the transcript of Prime Minister’s announcement as well as the full press statement by Malaysia Airlines are available after the jump.
Here’s a transcript of the announcement made by our Prime Minister just now:
“This evening I was briefed by representatives from the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB). They informed me that Inmarsat, the UK company thatprovided the satellite data which indicated the northern and southern corridors, has been performing further calculations on the data. Using a type of analysis never before used in an investigation of this sort, they have been able to shed more light on MH370’s flight path.
Based on their new analysis, Inmarsat and the AAIB have concluded that MH370 flew along the southern corridor, and that its last position was in the middle of the Indian Ocean, west of Perth. This is a remote location, far from any possible landing sites.
It is therefore with deep sadness and regret that I must inform you that, according to this new data, flight MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean.
We will be holding a press conference tomorrow with further details.
In the meantime, we wanted to inform you of this new development at the earliest opportunity. We share this information out of a commitment to openness and respect for the families, two principles which have guided this investigation.
Malaysia Airlines have already spoken to the families of the passengers and crew to inform them of this development. For them, the past few weeks have been heartbreaking; I know this news must be harder still. I urge the media to respect their privacy, and to allow them the space they need at this difficult time.”
Here is the full press statement by Malaysia Airlines:
“Malaysia Airlines deeply regrets that we have to assume that MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean. As you will hear in the next hour from Malaysia’s Prime Minister, new analysis of satellite data suggests the plane went down in the Southern Indian Ocean.
On behalf of all of us at Malaysia Airlines and all Malaysians, our prayers go out to all the loved ones of the 226 passengers and of our 13 friends and colleagues at this enormously painful time.
We know there are no words that we or anyone else can say which can ease your pain. We will continue to provide assistance and support to you, as we have done since MH370 first disappeared in the early hours of 8 March, while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
The ongoing multinational search operation will continue, as we seek answers to the questions which remain. Alongside the search for MH370, there is an intensive investigation, which we hope will also provide answers.
We would like to assure you that Malaysia Airlines will continue to give you our full support throughout the difficult weeks and months ahead.
Once again, we humbly offer our sincere thoughts, prayers and condolences to everyone affected by this tragedy.”
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