Underwater search for MH370 yields no clues so far

Two-thirds of the focused underwater search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight has now been completed, with no sightings of wreckage or debris.

Australia’s joint co-ordination centre said yesterday that the underwater vehicle Bluefin-21 had completed eight missions looking for the missing plane, but that “no contacts of interest have been found to date”.

The underwater search is focused on the area where the second of a series of pings, believed to be from the plane’s black box, were detected weeks ago.

But the mission has been plagued by difficulties, with the Bluefin-21 forced to surface early twice, once because of a technical issue. The submersible has been operating slightly deeper than 4,500m below sea level to scour the ocean floor using sonar.

Tony Abbott, Australia’s prime minister, said in an interview last week that authorities would reconsider the operation if nothing was found after the focused search had been completed. Weather may also be problematic, with conditions expected to deteriorate as tropical cyclone Jack continues south.

The New Straits Times has reported that Malaysia and Australia are preparing to sign a memorandum of understanding covering aspects of the plane's recovery. The agreement will outline the responsibility of each country and who will handle any wreckage.

There were 10 military aircraft and 11 ships aiding in the search on yesterday, covering a search area of 49,491 sq km.

Guardian