N ajib Razak — who is the prime minister of Malaysia — has announced that a portion of a wing from an airplane which washed ashore on a beach in Reunion Island has been officially confirmed to be from the Boeing 777-200 aircraft which operated as Malaysia Airlines flight 370 before disappearing mysteriously somewhere over the Gulf of Thailand en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing early in the morning on Saturday, March 8, 2014.
“On 8 March 2014, flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing disappeared. The days, weeks and months that followed have been a period of torment for the families of those on board.
“The plane’s disappearance was without precedent. At every stage, we followed the tiny amount of evidence that existed. But, despite the efforts of 26 nations and the largest search in aviation history, from the South China Sea to the Indian Ocean, the plane could not be located.
“Neither could investigations by the world’s leading aviation experts answer why MH370 veered off course and went dark. While the plane’s disappearance remained a mystery, we have shared the pain of those who could find no comfort.
“Last week, on 29th July, we were informed by the French authorities that part of an aircraft wing had been found on Reunion, the French island in the Indian Ocean.
“Today, 515 days since the plane disappeared, it is with a heavy heart that I must tell you that an international team of experts have conclusively confirmed that the aircraft debris found on Reunion Island is indeed from MH370.
“We now have physical evidence that, as I announced on 24th March last year, flight MH370 tragically ended in the southern Indian Ocean.
“This is a remote, inhospitable and dangerous area, and on behalf of Malaysia I would like to thank the many nations, organisations and individuals who have participated in the search.
“The burden and uncertainty faced by the families during this time has been unspeakable. It is my hope that this confirmation, however tragic and painful, will at least bring certainty to the families and loved ones of the 239 people onboard MH370. They have our deepest sympathy and prayers.
“I would like to assure all those affected by this tragedy that the government of Malaysia is committed to do everything within our means to find out the truth of what happened. MH370’s disappearance marked us as a nation. We mourn with you, as a nation.
“And I promise you this: Malaysia will always remember and honour those who were lost onboard MH370.”
An official statement has also been released from Malaysia Airlines:
Malaysia Airlines would like to sincerely convey our deepest sorrow to the families and friends of the passengers onboard Flight MH370 on the news that the flaperon found on Reunion Island on 29 July was indeed from Flight MH370. This has been confirmed jointly today by the French Authorities, Bureau d’ Enquetes et d‘ Analyses pour la Securites de I’AviationCivile (BEA), the Malaysian Investigation Team, Technical Representative from PRC and Australian Transportation Safety Bureau (ATSB) in Toulouse, France and subsequently announced by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Family members of passengers and crew have already been informed and we extend our deepest sympathies to those affected.
This is indeed a major breakthrough for us in resolving the disappearance of MH370. We expect and hope that there would be more objects to be found which would be able to help resolve this mystery.
Moving forward, Malaysia Airlines’ priority will continue to provide latest updates and information to the families and will fully cooperate with the relevant authorities on the investigation and recovery of this tragic accident.
The aircraft was carrying a total number of 239 people comprised of 227 passengers — including two infants — and 12 members of the flight crew. No survivors were ever found or reported.
While the confirmation of the aircraft part is a major step towards resolving the mystery surrounding the disappearance of the Boeing 777-200 aircraft which operated as Malaysia Airlines flight 370, the reason for its disappearance and what actually happened still remain unknown at this time. The airplane was believed to have crashed into the Indian Ocean approximately 2,300 miles from Reunion Island.
A chronology of official press releases from the time the incident occurred can be found in the following articles written by me at The Gate:
- Contact Lost With Malaysia Airlines Aircraft During Flight; Search and Rescue Effort Under Way March 7, 2014
- Malaysia Airlines Flight 370: Statement by Prime Minister of Malaysia; Criminal Inquiry Launched March 15, 2014
- Malaysia Airlines Flight 370: Assets Deployed to Southern Indian Ocean March 20, 2014
- Malaysia Airlines: “We Have to Assume that MH370 Ended in the Southern Indian Ocean” March 24, 2014
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