The search for debris that could be from the missing MH370 flight has been halted at nightfall after a second unsuccessful day.
Several aircraft and ships have been searching an area of 8,880 square miles for pieces of debris that were spotting in a satellite image a few days ago. Australian and Malaysian officials believe it is “credible” that the debris could be from the missing Malaysia Airways MH370 flight that disappeared two weeks ago.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said that four planes, including three Royal Australian Air Force Orion aircraft were taking part in the search 1,550 miles south west of Perth. Due to the long distance from land, each aircraft can only actively search the area for a maximum of two hours before needing to return for refuelling.
Amsa’s John Young also announced today that planes will use human spotters to look for debris across the vast ocean, rather than radar, as they regard radar as not being sufficiently reliable.
China has also announced it is sending three navy vessels to search the area.
Speaking earlier today, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said that the search is “a gut-wrenching business for so many people, not least those who are charged with keeping their citizens safe.
“It’s about the most inaccessible spot that you can imagine on the face of the earth, but if there is anything down there, we will find it.”
“We owe it to the families of those people [on the missing flight] to do no less,” he said on a visit to Papua New Guinea.
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