Vietnam widens search area for missing Malaysian plane

(Bqp.vn) - Vietnam on March 12 dispatched four aircraft and nine ships to expand the search within its territory along the planned air route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing supposed to be taken by the missing Malaysian plane.

Vietnam Coast Guard aircraft joins the search.

In addition, four planes and four ships from China, the US, Malaysia and Thailand were also dispatched, according to the Office of the National Committee for Search and Rescue.

The committee said the air force of Vietnam on March 13 will expand the search from the southern part of the maritime platform DK1 to the north of the overlapping waters of Vietnam and Malaysia. Three planes, including a patrol CASA and two AN 26 aircraft, are expected to join the search.

Rumours that Malaysia detected the missing plane in an area north of the Malacca Strait have been countered by the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Consular Department and military attaches from Malaysia, Singapore and the US. However, Malaysia has expanded its search towards Malacca.

Security officials are intensifying their checks inside and around the Hanoi’s Noi Bai international airport, so as to ensure safety and order at the country’s major border gate.

Later on March 12, the Centre for Control and Exploitation of Small Satellites received a collection of 13 photos captured from VNRedsat - 1 satellite near Tho Chu Island.

After initial analysis, experts still have no leads.

The VNRedsat - 1 satellite will capture images of other locations if requested.

(Source: Nhan Dan)