MH370: 122 new objects identified by MRSA, says Hishammuddin

As many as 122 objects, potentially from missing Malaysian flight MH370, have been identified based on satellite imagery yesterday.

Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said on Wednesday that the images, taken on March 23, showed objects between one meter up to 23 meters in length.

Hishammuddin said some of the objects appeared “bright and were possibly of solid material”.


It was captured by France-based Airbus Defence and Space and analysed by Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency, Malaysia's lead agency in areas of remote sensing space technology and satellite data image processing.

“MRSA analysed the images and - in one area of the ocean measuring some 400 square kilometres - were able to identify 122 potential objects,” said Hishammuddin.

He said the objects were located approximately 2,557 kilometres from Perth, and were “not very far” from the locations Chinese and France authorities previously identified debris as well.

Describing MRSA’s analysis as an “incredible feat” as the images “all covered by cloud”, Hishammuddin said that “white dots” were identified as debris.

“This is the most credible lead (so far),” he said, adding that the search will continue to use information from satellite, radar, as well assets and experts.

‘Hoping against hope’

Hishammuddin said that the latest images now seem to corroborate the objects and debris previously released via satellite images by Australia, China and France.

“If it is confirmed to be MH370 at least then we can move on to the next phase of deep sea surveillance search and… rescue probably. Hoping against hope,” he said.

Asked whether the mission was still being classified as a rescue operation, Hishammuddin responded that the question being asked by some family members, as to whether their loved ones were still alive, can yet be answered.

“Personally it is very difficult for me. I am a father and brother and I know what they are going through. Until we find the debris and we confirm that the debris belongs to MH370, that very question that they are asking we cannot provide.”

Search continues in Australia

Hishammuddin said Australia, which is still leading the search effort in the southern Indian Ocean, has divided the search area into two sectors, East and West.

“Today the weather has improved, and twelve planes will travel to the search area – six in the East sector and six in the West,” he said.

In the East sector, searches will be conducted by:

• one Australian P3 Orion, and three Australian civilian aircraft.
• one Chinese Ilyushin IL-76.
• one New Zealand P3 Orion.

In the West sector, searches will be conducted by:
• one US P8 Poseidon.
• one Korean P3 Orion.
• one Japanese P3 Orion.
• two Australian P3 Orions, and one civilian aircraft.

Yesterday ‘HMAS Success’ was redeployed to the south of the search area due to bad weather. Today the ship has returned and will support the search operation in the West sector. Meanwhile, the Chinese ship ‘Xue Long’ has today been deployed to the East sector.

A Japanese Coast Guard gulfstream aircraft left Subang this morning for Perth, to join the search operation.

The search operations in the northern corridor, and in the northern part of the southern corridor, have been called off, he reiterated.

‘History will judge us well’

Asked about alleged ‘bruising’ from international media of Malaysia’s handling of the crisis, Hishammuddin said that he does not see criticism as negatively.

“Not many countries in the world can get 26 countries to work together. Not many countries can get all the sophisticated planes from countries from every corner of the world to come and assist.

“In a world that is full of divide, of hate of death... what we see...a... a joint effort from all sectors of the comunity, notwithstanding the colour of your skin, your race, religion, boundaries do not become a concern.

Saying that it was a ‘great achievement’ that countries in South East Asia that were previously “fighting over rocks in the middle of the sea”.

“History will judge us well,” he added.