'Major breakthrough' may help solve riddle
Updated: 2015-08-07 07:52
By Xinhua in Kuala Lumpur / Paris(China Daily)
|
|||||||||
'We now have physical evidence flight ended in Indian Ocean'
Malaysian authorities have announced that recently discovered debris is from Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, kindling hopes that the mystery surrounding the plane's disappearance may finally be solved.
Awing segment, known as a flaperon, is part of the aircraft, the authorities announced on Thursday, 17 months after the Boeing 777-200 vanished.
"Today (Thursday) 515 days since the plane disappeared, it is with a heavy heart that I must tell you that an international team of experts have conclusively confirmed that the aircraft debris found on Reunion Island is indeed from MH370," Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said.
"We now have physical evidence that, as I announced on March 24 last year, Flight MH370 tragically ended in the southern IndianOcean, "Najib said.
"This is indeed a major breakthrough for us in resolving the disappearance. ... We expect and hope that there will be more objects found which will be able to help resolve this mystery."
However, what has been announced so far has been far from sufficient for those concerned about the flight, especially for the families and relatives of the 239 victims.
Examination of the debris found last week on Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean began in France on Wednesday.
Xavier Tytelman, an aviation security expert based in France, highlighted the significance of legal proof in deciding links between debris and lost aircraft.
Evidence may be provided by a serial number that corresponds to that of the plane or through analysis of the paint work, the former military pilot said.
Experts in Paris had avoided being too assertive by saying they had a "very strong presumption" the debris came from the missing plane.
Deputy Paris prosecutor Serge Mackowiak said this was based on technical data from the manufacturer and the airline.
Boeing representatives confirmed that the flaperon came from a 777 jet "due to its technical characteristics - mentioning the color and the structure of the joints," he said.
Tytelman said technical analysis is aimed at finding if the debris "suffered a shock and if so, what was the angle and intensity of this shock".
"Studies will also be made on whether there are chemical traces-for example, traces of explosives or a fire," he said.
Tytelman said examination of the wreckage will offer a great chance to solve the mystery of the missing plane, including the location and the circumstances in which it went down.
Mackowiak said that a fragment from a suitcase, which was also found on Reunion Island, will be forensically examined by French police as soon as possible.
A huge surface and underwater hunt had failed to locate the plane, which disappeared on March 8 last year on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
(China Daily 08/07/2015 page3)
- Chinese FM rejects Philippine, Japanese, US claims on South China Sea issue
- 'Major breakthrough' may help solve riddle
- Hiroshima marks 70th anniversary of bombing
- World 'watching' Japan's next move
- Migrant boat capsizes in Mediterranean, at least 25 dead
- Japanese gov't owes its people solid promise not to rearm
- 30 historic and cultural neighborhoods to visit in China
- Beijing Museum of Natural History unveils 'Night at the Museum'
- Sun Yang wins third consecutive 800m free gold at worlds
- Aerial escape
- Freshmen of top universities from poorer families work part time to reduce family burden
- 17 armed forces take part in Russia military contest
- A glimpse of traditional Chinese business blocks
- Top 5 most popular drones in China
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Seventh China-US strategic dialogue |
Premier Li embarks on Latin America visit |
What do we know about AIIB |
Full coverage of Boao Forum for Asia |
Annual legislative and political advisory sessions |
Spring Festival trends reflect a changing China |
Today's Top News
China willing to work with US to contribute to world peace, stability
China asks further investigation on MH370
Police fatally shoot ax-wielding man at Nashville movie theater
Study-abroad tours in US booming
Malaysia confirms plane debris is from Flight MH370
IMF to study yuan inclusion
LA clinic seeks fertility-market access
China and US discuss ways to fight terror
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |