Vietnam uses satellite to search for missing plane

March 12, 2014 | 10:43

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Vietnamese authorities have started to use the VNRedsat-1 satellite to capture images of Tho Thu Island to aid the land search for the missing Malaysian airliner.

VNRedsat-1 satellite China has deployed 10 satellites to provide navigation, communication and support services for search crews.

Chu Xuan Huy, from Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, said the VNDRedsat-1 was above Tho Chu Island at around 11am this morning. The satellite took pictures in an area of 17.5 kilometres wide and 80-260 kilometres long. The satellite was able to capture images of the area for around one hour and the centre will receive the photos of Tho Chu Island this evening.

The Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army Lieutenant General, Vo Van Tuan, said they had asked provincial authorities to carry out searches on land this morning. The search was carried out along the original flight path across Hon Khoai Island to HCM City, and now will be expanded on both sides.

In case the craft is found underwater, Vietnam has several ships capable of carrying out such a mission. "If the plane is underwater, we'll notify the Malaysian authorities immediately and jointly salvage the plane," Tuan said.

China has asked permission to send two aircraft into Vietnamese airspace. Meanwhile, several countries, such as UK, France and Australia have also offered to join the search for the missing plane. Singapore is seeking permission to bring in a device to detect the pinging from a black box.

At 1:15pm, a search crew spotted a white object floating 80 nautical miles off Tho Chu Island. Two helicopters from China and Vietnam are searching for the object.

Currently, the chairman of Phu Quoc District People's Committee is planning to tighten local security as the number of visitors to the island have increased sharply.

Dtinews

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