MH370 team to check Maldives debris

epaselect epa04866313 A picture made available 30 July 2015 shows officers carrying pieces of debris from an unidentified aircraft apparently washed ashore in Saint-Andre de la Reunion, eastern La Reunion island, France, 29 July 2015. A Malaysian government team is being dispatched to the French island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean, where newly found aircraft wreckage awakened speculation over flight MH370, which went missing last year with 239 people aboard. EPA/RAYMOND WAE TION FRANCE OUT; CORBIS OUT
By Hannah Edensor


Malaysia is sending a team to Maldives to investigate if debris found by islanders is from missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

Officials in Maldives said on Monday the government had joined the multinational search operation for the wreckage after debris washed ashore during the past week.

“The debris are being collected and placed in a warehouse for further tests and examinations by the Malaysian authorities,” said Mohamed Shareef, a minister in the Maldives’ president’s office.

The debris was recovered on Baa Atoll Fehendhoo and Fulhahdhoo islands west of the capital Male.

Malaysian Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai was quoted as saying by The Star newspaper that “at this stage, it is highly premature to speculate on whether this debris is in any way connected to MH370”.

The Beijing-bound Boeing 777, with 239 people aboard, disappeared without a trace about an hour after it left Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 8, 2014.

Sixteen months later, debris washed up on the French island of Reunion, which was examined by aviation experts in southern France.

While Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak announced the wreckage was “conclusively” found to be from the missing aircraft, the French prosecutor spoke of a “very strong supposition” that the wing part was from the Boeing 777.

“At this juncture, no verification of the debris has taken place,” Malaysia’s Liow was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, local media reported in Maldives that the debris could be part of the cargo from a barrage that capsized six months back.

The captain of the barrage said the vessel capsized 22 kilometres away from Baa Atoll.

Latest News

  • Cruise
  • News

Existing investors pick up Hurtigruten for €500M

Norwegian group expedition company Hurtigruten Group has confirmed its sale to a consortium of existing investors for a sum of EUR 500m (A$811 million). The acquisition will mark the final separation of HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) from sister company Hurtigruten. Both companies were previously part of the Hurtigruten Group. From January 2025, each business will exist […]

  • Events
  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

NSW Tourism Association announces 2024 Awards winners

The NSW Tourism Association has announced the winners of the NSW Tourism Awards 2024 at a gala event at the Star Sydney. The evening celebrated the tourism and hospitality sectors in NSW, which are delivering world-class visitor experience that growing the NSW visitor economy. Winners were recognised with gold, silver, and bronze awards for their […]