VN commits to creating favorable conditions for plane search efforts

Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh - Photo: VGP

>> Debris, possible window, found around reported MH370 crash site

Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh made the statement during his phone call to Chinese FM Wang Yi on Sunday afternoon over Malaysia's plane which went missing en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing early March 8.

He said that PM Nguyen Tan Dung paid special attention to the case and directly asked relevant competent agencies to take every measure to search for the aircraft.

Viet Nam has dispatched five planes and seven ships for the search-rescue operation. Other planes and ships are on standby for search activities, according to Deputy PM, FM Minh.

The National Committee for Search and Rescue is working 24 hours a day and established a steering unit in Phu Quoc island to direct the search-rescue work. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also set up a special task force to coordinate with the relevant agencies.

Deputy PM, FM Minh affirmed that Viet Nam stands ready to create favorable for and coordinate with forces of China and other countries in this operation.

FM Wang Yi expressed sincere thanks of the Chinese Government and people for Viet Nam’s active and timely support.

Chinese side spoke highly of the measures that Vietnamese search-rescue forces have deployed and hoped for Viet Nam’s further assistance in the time to come.

Earlier on Saturday, Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh also made an urgent phone call to Malaysian FM to extend deep sympathies to the Government and people of Malaysia.

Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein today spoke of the possibility of a missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) aircraft having made an "air turn back", according to the national news agency of Malaysia.

As such, he said, the search-and-rescue operation was focusing on a wider area for Flight MH370 which disappeared over the East Sea on Saturday en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

"I can confirm that there was an oil slick, but no debris. I was told that Vietnamese aircraft are on the site right now to verify what is actually on the surface of those waters," he told a press conference here.

Hishammuddin also said that further deliberations would be held, mainly among officials of the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) and Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and other aviation experts.