MH370News:2014/Day 007
Day 007: Friday, 14 March 2014
News Summary
- 9:00 AM
- Oil slick found not linked the MH370; assets deployed to investigate potential debris shown on Chinese satellite images.
- 6:00 PM
- Bangladesh sent 2 navy frigates and 2 maritime patrol aircraft.
Source: DCA (Malaysia) - Interactive Timeline
Media Statements
Friday, March 14, 12:13 PM MYT +0800 Malaysia Airlines MH370 Flight Incident - 18th Media Statement
Malaysia Airlines reiterates that we will continue to give our full support in cooperating with the search and rescue mission which is coordinated by the Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia (DCA) under the purview of the Ministry of Transport, Malaysia.
Malaysia Airlines is fully aware of the on-going media speculations and we have nothing further to add to the information we have already provided.
Our primary focus at this point in time is to care for the families of the passengers and crew of MH370. This means providing them with timely information, travel facilities, accommodation, meals, medical and emotional support.
Malaysia Airlines will continue to provide regular updates to the general public via the media and our website on all matters affecting MH370.
马来西亚航空公司MH370航空事件
媒体声明十八
（2014年3月14日下午12时13分发布）
马来西亚航空公司再次郑重声明，公司将继续与马来西亚民航局紧密合作，全力支持该局在马来西亚交通部权限范围下所进行的搜索和救援任务。
对于各方媒体持续不断的各种猜测，马来西亚航空重声我们已将所掌握的一切信息全面地提供与发表，故暂无补充。
马航此时的首要任务乃尽全力关注及照顾MH370航班的乘客与机组人员的家属，为他们提供及时信息、安排交通、食宿、医疗服务及心灵关怀辅导。
马来西亚航空将继续通过媒体及网站向公众发布所有关于MH370事件的最新消息。
媒体咨询请联络+603 8777 5698 / +603 8787 1276。
Source: Malaysia Airlines MAS-MS18-007-ZH
MH370 PRESS BRIEFING BY HISHAMMUDDIN HUSSEIN, MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND ACTING MINISTER OF TRANSPORT
March 14, 2014 at 5:30 pm GMT+8 || Source: Ministry of Transportation / Kementerian Pengangkutan Malaysia |
Before I take questions today, I will give a short statement. We are now entering the seventh day of the search for MH370. There are currently 57 ships and 48 aircraft in the search. Thirteen countries are now involved.
Our priority remains finding the plane. We are following all leads, and we continue to work closely with our international partners. We are grateful for the support of our friends and neighbours, who continue to assist us by sharing their data and their resources as we search for MH370. I speak for the Malaysian people when I say that our hearts are with the families and the friends of those on board the plane.
New information
There has been a lot of media speculation today after comments from unnamed US officials suggested the plane may have travelled for some time after losing contact.
As is standard procedure, the investigation team will not publicly release information until it has been properly verified and corroborated with the relevant authorities. Nor do we want to be drawn into specific remarks that unnamed officials have reportedly made the media.
Since Sunday, we have worked closely with our international partners, including the US team, whose officials have been here on the ground in Kuala Lumpur.
Since Wednesday, the Malaysian investigating team have shared more detailed information, as it became available, for verification.
The international team are currently working on verifying that detailed information, but we have nothing to confirm at the moment.
Widening of the investigation
The aircraft is still missing, and the search area is expanding. Two days ago, the search area was widened to include the Andaman Sea.
Together with our international partners, we are now pushing further east into the South China Sea, and further into the Indian Ocean.
We want nothing more than to find the plane as quickly as possible. But the circumstances have forced us to widen our search.
A normal investigation becomes narrower with time, as new information focuses the search. But this is not a normal investigation. In this case, the information we have forces us to look further and further afield.
Engine data
Yesterday, we rejected a media report in which unnamed officials said that engine data showed the plane had kept flying for hours after last contact. We checked with Boeing and Rolls Royce, who said the reports were not true. Today Rolls Royce released a statement saying, and I quote, ‘Rolls Royce continues to provide its full support to the authorities and Malaysia Airlines. Rolls Royce concurs with the statement made on Thursday 13th March by Malaysia’s Transport Minister regarding engine health monitoring data received from the aircraft’.
Oil slick
Yesterday authorities sighted two oil slicks in the South China Sea, 60 nautical miles south of the last point of contact with MH370.
The first slick was investigated and analysed and found to contain tiny traces of jet fuel. No debris was found in the vicinity. We do not believe the slick is linked to MH370.
Samples from the second slick were investigated and analysed and did not contain jet fuel.
Concluding remarks
The investigation team is following all leads that could help locate the missing aircraft. When we receive new information, and it has been verified, we act accordingly. Wherever there is a possibility, we have a duty to investigate it.
From the beginning of the crisis, we have worked hand-in-hand with all the relevant authorities, including international agencies, experts, and the aircraft manufacturers.
We have daily technical meetings with all the key players. We have followed the protocols set out by the International Civil Aviation Authority. We have been in regular contact with our neighbouring countries. And we have welcomed all international offers of assistance. We are committed to one aim: finding MH370.
Source: DCA Official Newsroom via Web Archive
MH370 PRESS STATEMENT BY MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT FRIDAY, 14 MARCH 2014
March 14, 2014 at 7:47 pm GMT+8 || Source: Ministry of Transportation / Kementerian Pengangkutan Malaysia |
1. Regarding overnight reports in the US media, quoting unnamed US officials:
The investigation team is following all leads that may help locate the missing aircraft. We continue to work closely with the US team, whose officials have been on the ground in Kuala Lumpur to help with the investigation since Sunday.
As is standard procedure, the investigation team will not publicly release information until it has been properly verified and corroborated.
Any new evidence should be passed to the investigation team in Malaysia in order to assist the investigation.
2. On 13 March, authorities sighted two oil slicks in the South China Sea, 60 nautical miles south of the last point of contact with MH370.
The first slick was investigated and analysed and found to contain tiny traces of jet fuel. No debris was found in the vicinity. We do not believe the slick is linked to MH370.
Samples from a second, larger slick, some 3km in length, were investigated and analysed and did not contain jet fuel.
3. The Indian Air Force is participating in the multinational search operation for MH370 and is conducting search operations off the west coast of peninsular Malaysia.
4. We would like to confirm that Vietnam is still participating in the multinational search operation for MH370.
5. We would like to reiterate the statement made by Dato’ Hishammuddin Hussein, Minister of Defence and acting Minister of Transport, made at the press conference on 13 March. The Minister said:
“A Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency surveillance plane was dispatched this morning to investigate potential debris shown on Chinese satellite images. We deployed our assets but found nothing. We have contacted the Chinese embassy who notified us this afternoon that the images were released by mistake, and did not show any debris from MH370.”
At the press conference, the Minister also read out a message he had received from the Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia, which stated:
‘The publication of the satellite image is an accident – a personal behaviour to put it on the website of SASTIND. The government neither authorized nor endorsed the behaviour which is now under investigation. The image is not been confirmed as connected with the plane. H. E. wishes to reiterate that our side will at the first time inform your side of whatever important developments.’
6. Regarding the presence of a ‘bomoh’ or shaman at KLIA, we would like to categorically state that neither the Government, nor any of its agencies, had any role or involvement in the shaman’s presence at the airport.
7. This evening there will be a press conference at the Sama-Sama Hotel at KLIA. Time TBC.
Source: DCA Official Newsroom via Web Archive
Transcripts
Source: Department of Information (Jabatan Penerangan Malaysia) via MH370 Official Site