Blip on radar off Penang could be missing MH370


KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's military radar had detected a "blip" that could have been the missing Malaysia Airlines jetliner in an area northwest of Penang, about 45 minutes after the plane lost contact with air traffic control on Saturday.

The Royal Malaysian Air Force chief Tan Sri Rodzali Daud said Wednesday, however, that this was still to be confirmed by experts from the United States, and corroborated with radars of neighbouring countries.

He said the 'plot' was detected at 215am Saturday at 200 miles northwest of the island of Penang at the northern end of the Straits of Malacca.

However, they could not be sure that it was the missing jetliner MH370 as that sort of data is not recorded by the military radar.

This would be 45 minutes after the Boeing 777-200 lost contact with air traffic control about 100 miles from Kota Baru at 1.31am Saturday. It had taken off for Beijing at 12.41am Saturday from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Rodzali said this 'plot' was detected on a review of the military data recording on Saturday itself. The search operations were then immediately widened to the Straits of Malacca from the original search site in the South China Sea.

The search was still continuing in both areas, with 42 ships and 39 aircraft from 12 countries taking part.

Asked if the military radar had tracked the 'plot' on Saturday in real time, he said it had not. He said the air force did not try to intercept that unidentified aircraft because it was classified as a civilian aircraft and not a hostile one. - The Straits Times/ANN

Subscribe or renew your subscriptions to win prizes worth up to RM68,000!

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Nation

Google, Microsoft praise M'sia's approach to building AI infrastructure, roadmap
I am ready to be suspended, sacked from PKR for criticising govt, says Pasir Gudang MP
Family of nine escapes unhurt as home collapses into sea in Semporna
11 individuals relocated to flood relief centre in segamat
Emotional moment as wife receives husband's posthumous degree at USM convocation
Seven nabbed in anti-vice raid in JB
Thunderstorms expected in 12 states, two FTs this evening, says MetMalaysia
Gout-stricken woman endures six hours of pain in flood-submerged home
Asean Ladies' Circle fashion gala aims to promote rich cultural heritage of member nations
Marine police will remain part of the force, says IGP

Others Also Read