Search for Missing Plane Now Involves 25 Countries

VOA News

March 16, 2014

Malaysian authorities say the number of countries involved in the search for a missing Malaysia Airlines passenger jet has grown to 25 after it was determined the plane may have flown over several countries.

Transportation Minister Hishammuddin Hussein says the search and rescue operation increased by 11 countries, noting the plane could have flown over some of them, and gone as far north as Central Asia.

Authorities have also not ruled out the possibility the plane was on the ground at an unknown location when some satellite signals were sent.

The investigation into the disappearance of the jet is now focused on the 239 crew and passengers on board.

Malaysian authorities say police have searched the homes of the two pilots and are examining an elaborate flight simulator taken from one of them. Authorities are also questioning engineers who may have had contact with the plane before it left Kuala Lumpur.

A full-scale criminal investigation was triggered when Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said Saturday there is a "high degree of certainty" that someone who knew what he was doing deliberately turned off the communications systems.

The prime minister said the last of the systems were switched off just before the jet turned westward, away from its flight path. Najib stopped short of saying the plane was hijacked and said investigators are looking at all scenarios.Read more....!