21/03/2014 10:41
Malaysian plane search resumes
An international search of the southern Indian Ocean has resumed for a second day as authorities try to locate a missing Malaysian airliner, the BBC reported.
Five military and civilian aircraft are taking part in the search for debris from flight MH370, which disappeared on 8 March with 239 people on board.
Satellite images released on Thursday showed objects possibly related to the plane in waters far south-west of the Australian city of Perth.
Bad weather hampered Thursday's search.
Flight MH370 was flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing when it lost contact with air traffic controllers and disappeared from radar.
Satellite data has led to a search in two corridors to the north and south of its last known location in the Malacca Straits - the opposition direction from its flight path.
Malaysian officials say they believe the plane was intentionally diverted.
Authorities in many countries have scrutinised the backgrounds of both passengers and crew on board but say they have no substantive leads.
Other reports of debris to date have proved not to be linked to the missing plane.
The debris which is the current focus of the search was identified on satellite images by Australian experts.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced early on Thursday that vessels were being sent to investigate, but cautioned that the objects found could be unrelated to the plane.
Four military planes, including three Orions belonging to the Royal Australian Air Force, are taking part in the search, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (Amsa) said in a statement.
A civilian Bombardier Global Express is also involved. Two Orions and the Bombardier Global Express were due in the search area on Friday morning, with another Orion and a US P8 Poseidon aircraft due there later in the day.
The aircraft are searching a 23,000 km area, about 2,500 km (1,550 miles) south-west of Perth, Amsa said.