Australian PM hints at possible MH370 search cut backs

World Today

A year after the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, there was still no trace of the plane and the search has already the most expensive in aviation history.
Australia has been leading the investigation in the Southern Indian Ocean, however the operation may be scaled back.

CCTV’s Greg Navarro reported this story from Sydney.

Sunday marked a year since the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines MH370 and despite the fact that no trace of the craft has yet been found, the search was already the most expensive in aviation history. Australia leads the investigation in the Southern Indian Ocean, but Prime Minister Tony Abbott has suggested the operation may be scaled back.

Australia’s parliament held a somber ceremony on Wednesday to mark the one year anniversary since Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 went missing.

“With sadness, Madam Speaker, I have to admit to the House that, so far, we have not found any trace of MH370,” said Tony Abbott, Australian prime minister.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s speech included the words the families of the seven Australian victims did not want to hear.

“I can’t promise that the search will go on at this intensity forever,” said Tony.

The Australian-led search has spent the last year trying to scour the Southern Indian floor over a daunting 60,000 kilometers (approximately 38.2 miles) area.

That efforts has included naval hardware and hi-tech equipment used from the air and underwater.

“It’s a difficult area to be working in. We’ve had four cyclones through the are in the period since the search has been undertaken,” said Warren Truss, Australian Deputy Prime Minister.

So far, 40 percent of the search area has been covered, and teams are no closer to knowing where the plane went down.

“The political climate here for the prime minister is much different from a year ago when he offered to coordinate the search. Mr. Abbott is struggling to hang onto the leadership within his own party – and the nation’s economy is slowing.”

That’s why the search’s future may very well depend more on money.

“We have committed significant financial resources to the search and we will have to make a decision also about how much more we will be prepared to devote – and that would depend clearly on the commitments that other countries are prepared to make,” said Warren putting Australia’s continued financial involvement further in doubt especially if the search area is completed in May without producing any results.


Diverse communities unite to celebrate the lives lost in Malaysian Airlines flights one year later

March 8, marked an emotional day of remembrance for the family and friends of those who disappeared on Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 – one year ago. Ceremonies in Kuala Lumpur brought together Malaysians, Chinese and others, with the Malaysian Airlines staff affected by the loss of colleagues and friends on MH370 and MH17 in 2014. CCTV’s Rian Maelzer reported this story from Kuala Lumpur.

Highlights

  • People of different races, religions and nationalities united by the disappearance of their loved ones aboard flight MH370 and MH17.
  • Voice370, the mutual support group for the families, organized this remembrance ceremony for family, friends and guests.
  • The anniversary commemorations began Friday night with a candlelight vigil and included poetry readings, tributes and video calls.


Aviation expert David Soucie talks about the disappearance
For more on the disappearance of MH370, CCTV anchor Mike Walter spoke to aviation expert David Soucie who is also an author who wrote a book on the mystery flight.