MH 777 missing - MH370 media statement

[Danger]

Airlinereporter.com is reporting the plane has crashed "153 miles off of Vietnam’s Tho Chu island- the Vietnamese Navy confirms".

 

[Austman]

Official press release from MAS The last known position of MH370 before it disappeared off the radar was 065515 North (longitude) and 1033443 East (latitude).

Edit: They either got longitude and latitude around the wrong way or omitted a leading 1 from the longitude.

Assuming the first, the location is in the Gulf of Thailand. Assuming the second it's just to the south of Ho Chi Minh City.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Speculation on pprune that this incident might be co-related.
China knife attack at Kunming Train Station leaves dozens dead and at least 130 injured | News.com.au

I would preface that with 'mere'

 

[irv]

A hard time for all concerned, likely not to be a good outcome.

 

[JessicaTam]

A tragic accident. I hope some answers can be found to the questions those waiting for the flight undoubtably have.

 

[Sprucegoose]

So terrible sad - I was just thinking yesterday that it seems to have been awhile since there was a really bad accident with a major carrier. Thoughts and prayers for all involved. Dr FM is flying with Malaysian in April and I have just told her that this is probably the safest time to fly as they will be checking all planes very carefully after an incident....

Interesting way of looking at it. Some cultures are slower to react to human error, some are more fatalist and therefore a conscious response is not always forthcoming, ismy experience.

If Dr FM has concerns then they should make alternative travel arrangements.

 

[BoyZeus]

I hope everyone was sleeping and somehow, through the grace of the universe, the event was over instantly.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Im shocked & saddened at this news. My thoughts are with all Concerned!

Im at Singapore Airport Presently.. Might have to pop by the MAS Desk to convey my condolensces to the Staff.

 

[lukenet]

As whether or not to fly MAS again, it may be best to wait for a definitive cause for this tragedy, then make up one's mind, once in the possession of all the facts.

As others have said, it does make you stop and think how lucky we are to simply make it each and every time we fly.

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

The Australians have been named... 2 couples from Brisbane and a couple from Sydney....

http://www.skynews.com.au/topstories/article.aspx?id=956601

 

[legroom]

Hoping for a miracle but more likely fearing for the worst news

Shocked and saddened to learn of this accident - still evolving

If anything, pax would have been most likely exhausted / asleep (departing 12:40 am, lost contact some 2-3 hrs later) and not aware of their impending fate making the end somewhat less of a frightening spectacle.

The lack of any radio signal would also point to a sudden and very fast occurring incident, again lessening the impact on the majority of the passengers.

It could have been anyone of us, AFFer / NB or WP / sitting in Y or J....

Prayers to all involved

 

[Grooba]

AN26 aircraft of the Vietnam Navy have discovered about 20km long oil slick in the search area, suspected of Boeing aircraft crashed.

Phát hi

(open in chrome and use translate)

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Shocked, numbed, sickened and saddened - life is so precious - we are all so vulnerable - no cause, reason or explanation will lessen the pain of so many - a tragically sad day for so many - what a shame - what a tragedy - no words can truly express my feelings.

 

[Buzzard]

I just received a message
from an associate telling me the plane has been found intact with the inflatable slides deployed so hopefully this is good news

 

[atreides]

We can only hope. The Hudson incident was a miracle in itself.

 

[kpc]

Phát hi

(open in chrome and use translate)

"20km oil slick...." I feel sick in the stomach!!

 

[Orca]

I just received a message
from an associate telling me the plane has been found intact with the inflatable slides deployed so hopefully this is good news

How reliable is this information?

 

[jlien]

I've been following this all day, it's quite tragic and hits quite close to home for me as my partner is Malaysian and we visit KL regularly.
My prayers go out to those involved and their families.

 

[Danger]

I just received a message
from an associate telling me the plane has been found intact with the inflatable slides deployed so hopefully this is good news

You're kidding? Really?

 

[fewings85]

UPDATE [7:20pm]:Highlights from MH370 press conference, attended by PM Najib Razak:

1. Vietnam navy confirms no evidence of wreckage.
2. 15 aircraft, close to 10 ships in search and rescue operations.
3. Search area expanded within South China Sea. Help from USA, China, Singapore & Vietnam.
4. Najib says satelite imagery cannot be used as it cannot detect anything below water surface.
5. Aircraft manufacturers and FAA have offered help.
6. Najib says rescue operations will continue for as long as it takes.
7. Najib spoke to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and sent his condolences as 153 passengers were Chinese nationals. The Premier says China will help in rescue operations.
8. MAS will arrange flights for family members to Beijing if requested, and for Chinese nationals to Kuala Lumpur.
9. Najib requests that the public do not indulge in speculation. "We can't make conclusions, we are investigating all theories".
10. Dept of Civil Aviation received a call when MH370 went missing at 2.40am; Vietnam airport authorities acknowledged the plane entered its airspace at 1.30am before subsequently losing contact.