Missing MH370: France has new satellite images of 'potential objects' in southern corridor

PETALING JAYA: French satellites have detected 'potential objects in the vicinity of the southern corridor', and have sent the images to Malaysia.

According to a statement from the Transport Ministry, the information was relayed to Malaysia Sunday morning, and the images were immediately relayed to the Australian rescue co-ordination centre.

The Australian rescue co-ordination centre deployed eight aircraft - four military and four civilian - to the southern corridor Sunday, but as at 2.30pm, there had been no new sightings.

The search operation continues to be co-ordinated by Malaysia, and countries are sending in more vessels to speed up the search.

Two Chinese Ilyushin IL-76s aircraft arrived in Perth, Australia Sunday, and will join search and rescue operations Monday.

Two Japanese P3 Orions are also headed for Perth, after departing Subang Airport Sunday.

India despatched an Indian Navy P8 Poseidon as well as an Indian Air Force C130 from Subang airport, which will join search and rescue operations in the northern part of the southern corridor, which is currently being led by Indonesia.

However, a few sorties from Subang airport to the southern corridor were cancelled Sunday because of bad weather caused by tropical cyclone Gillian.

The full statement by the ministry:

Search and rescue operational update

- The search and rescue operation remains an international effort, co-ordinated by Malaysia. A number of countries are leading in their respective search areas and all countries involved are displaying unprecedented levels of co-operation.

- This morning, Malaysia received new satellite images from the French authorities showing potential objects in the vicinity of the southern corridor. Malaysia immediately relayed these images to the Australian rescue co-ordination centre.

- Two Chinese Ilyushin IL-76s have arrived in Perth, and will depart for the search and rescue operation tomorrow at 05:00 and 06:00.

- Two Japanese P3 Orions today left Subang airport for Perth.

- The Australian rescue co-ordination centre will deploy eight aircraft (four military and four civilian) to the southern corridor today, to conduct visual searching.

- The Australian Defence Vessel 'Ocean Shield', which has a sub-sea remotely operated vehicle, is currently en route to the southern corridor.

- As of 2:30pm Malaysia time, Australian officials have informed us that they have not made any new sightings regarding MH370.

- One Indian Navy P8 Poseidon and one Indian Air Force C130 left Subang airport today to join the search and rescue operation in the northern part of the southern corridor, which is being led by Indonesia.

- A number of other sorties from Subang airport to the southern corridor were cancelled today due to bad weather caused by tropical cyclone Gillian.

- Australia, China and France have now released satellite images that show potential objects, which may be related to MH370, in the vicinity of the southern corridor. All this information have been forwarded to Australia, as the lead country in the area of concern.


Family briefing

- The Malaysian high level team started a briefing in Beijing this morning for relatives of those on board MH370. The meeting lasted more than 6 hours. This is the third such meeting that has been held. The team presented information to the relatives and answered questions. The Government wishes to reiterate its commitment and continued engagement with the relatives of those on board MH370.


Update on ACARS transmission

- The last ACARS transmission, sent at 1.07am, showed nothing unusual. The 1.07am transmission showed a normal routing all the way to Beijing.