Malaysia Airlines 10th Media Statement on MH370 Flight Incident – March 10, 05:30 PM MYT +0800

The purpose of this statement is to update on emergency response activities at Malaysia Airlines.

On notification of the incident the following steps have been taken by Malaysia Airlines:-

 

The EOC

• Activation of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in the early morning of 8 March 2014. The EOC is the central command and control facility responsible for carrying out emergency management functions at the strategic level during a disaster

• In addition to the EOC, various departments of Malaysia Airlines are also addressing to all the different needs during this crisis

 

Family Management

·         Malaysia Airlines is working closely with the government of China to expedite the issuance of passports for the families intending to travel to Malaysia, as well as with the immigration of Malaysia on the issuance of their visas into Malaysia.

·         Once the Response Coordination Centre is operational, we will provide transport and accommodation to the designated areas for the family members.

·         Malaysia Airlines is deploying an additional aircraft to bring the families from Beijing from Kuala Lumpur on 11 March 2014.

·         When the aircraft is located, a Response Coordination Centre (RCC) will be established within the vicinity to support the needs of the families. This has been communicated specifically to the families.

·         Our oneworld partners have been engaged to help bring family members in other countries aside from China into Kuala Lumpur.

 

Search and Rescue

• Malaysia Airlines has been actively cooperating with the search and rescue authorities coordinated by the Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia (DCA) and the Ministry of Transport

• DCA has confirmed that search and rescue teams from Australia, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines, New Zealand and the United States of America have come forward to assist. We are grateful for these efforts.

We also want to address a few common queries from the media.

We are receiving many queries about how the passengers with the stolen passports purchased their tickets. We are unable to comment on this matter as this is a security issue. We can however confirm that we have given all the flight details to the authorities for further investigation.

We also confirm that we are making necessary arrangements for MH370 passengers’ families from Beijing to travel to Kuala Lumpur. However, flight details of the families’ arrival into are highly confidential. This is to protect the privacy and well-being of the families during this difficult time and to respect their space. Our position is not to reveal any information on the flight or movements of the families.

Malaysia Airlines’ primary focus at this point in time is to care for the families of the passengers and crew of MH370. This means providing them with timely information, travel facilities, accommodation, meals, medical and emotional support. The costs for these are all borne by Malaysia Airlines.

All other Malaysia Airlines’ flights are as per schedule. The safety of our passengers and crew has always been and will continue to be of utmost importance to us.

The airline continues to work with the authorities and we appreciate the help we are receiving from all local and international parties and agencies during this critical and difficult time.

Malaysia Airlines reiterates that it will continue to be transparent in communicating with the general public via the media in all matters affecting MH370.

Please note translation for this statement to Chinese language is in progress.

马来西亚航空公司MH370航班事件 媒体声明九 马航首席执行长阿末佐哈里发表声明

我们与吉隆坡飞往北京的MH370失联航班失去联系已经超过48个小时。尽管目前仍然未有任何关于MH370失联航班确切位置的发现，航空公司已经尽全力支持由马来西亚民航部门协调的搜救团队开展搜救工作。

马来西亚民航部门表示国际搜救团队来自澳大利亚，中国，泰国，印度尼西亚，新加坡，越南，菲律宾和美国。航空公司感谢这些搜救团队的帮助。

航空公司现在的首要任务是及时为MH370失联航班乘客以及乘务员家属提供照顾与援助。这些工作包括最新进展的及时通知，交通，住宿，食物以及情绪安抚方面的支持与援助。航空公司将承担因此产生的费用。

航空公司为每个失联航班乘客与乘务员家庭安排了至少一位护理人员，这些护理人员都是经过专业训练的工作人员与志愿者，她们来自马来西亚和其它相关机构。

截至目前，超过150人的特别工作小组，他们包括航空公司高层管理人员以及护理人员，他们已经在北京开始照顾失联航班乘客家属。在吉隆坡，另一支护理人员的团队也正在照顾失联航班乘客与乘务员家属的需求。

除了中国之外的第一批失联航班乘客家属已经在昨天早些时候来到吉隆坡，更多家属将在今天陆续抵达。

航空公司正在与中国政府和马来西亚签证服务中心积极沟通，加速办理失联航班家属赴马来西亚的签证。

航空公司已经特别告知失联航班乘客与乘务员家属，一旦失联航班的位置被确定，邻近的应急处理协调中心会立即开展工作，为他们提供对应的援助与支持工作。

航空公司将继续与当局有关部门合作。航空公司感谢在此非常和艰难时刻，为航空公司提供帮助的团体与组织，特别是所有媒体工作人员。

航空公司再次郑重声明，在与公众的关于失联航班的信息沟通中会继续保持透明度，及时提供最新信息。

航空公司也和大家的心情一样焦急。我们感谢所有人的耐心，支持与祈福。

Malaysia Airlines 9th Media Statement on MH370 Flight Incident – March 10, 10:00 AM MYT +0800

It has been more than 48 hours since we lost contact with our flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

Despite not being able to establish any positive findings on the whereabouts of the aircraft, Malaysia Airlines has been actively cooperating with the search and rescue authorities coordinated by the Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia (DCA).

DCA has confirmed that search and rescue teams from Australia, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines and the United States of America have come forward to assist. We are grateful for these efforts.

Malaysia Airlines’ primary focus at this point in time is to care for the families. This means providing them with timely information, travel facilities, accommodation, meals, medical and emotional support. The costs for these are all borne by Malaysia Airlines.

Initial financial assistance has been given out to all families over and above their basic needs.

At least one caregiver is assigned to each family. These caregivers are well-trained staff and volunteers from Malaysia and other organisations. 

As of now, there are more than 150 “Go Team” members consisting of senior management and caregivers at Beijing to attend to these families. In Kuala Lumpur, a different group of caregivers are attending to the families’ needs.

Families from other nations apart from China have been arriving at Kuala Lumpur since early yesterday. More are expected to arrive today.

Malaysia Airlines is working closely with the government of China to expedite the issuance of passports for the families as well as with the immigration of Malaysia for their visas into Malaysia.

When the aircraft is located, a Response Coordination Centre (RCC) will be activated within the vicinity to support the needs of the families. This has been communicated specifically to the families.

The airline continues to work with the authorities and we appreciate the help we are receiving from all parties and agencies during this critical and difficult time especially the members of the media.

Malaysia Airlines reiterates that it will continue to be transparent in communicating with the general public via the media in all matters affecting MH370.

Malaysia Airlines is similarly anxious and we appreciate the patience, support and prayers from everyone.

#SydneyStorms: Dramatic Photos Of March 5 Sydney Thunderstorm

An ominous storm cloud hovers above swimmers near Mollymook Beach, south of Sydney. The storm generated heavy rain and high gusts of wind. (REUTERS/David Gray)

A powerful thunderstorm rolled into Sydney on Wednesday, March 5, 2014.

The ominous clouds sparked the hashtag #SydneyStorms on Twitters.

Photographers captured stunning photos of the storm approaching the city.

The apocalyptic weather caused travel delays and flash flooding in some areas.

Please click the photos for larger images:

Storm clouds and dust can be seen in the sky above as people walk at dusk along Mollymook Beach, south of Sydney. (REUTERS/David Gray)

A brief but dramatic thunderstorm battered Sydney – with 40mph winds recorded. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Locals (L-R) Matt Fleming, Larry McMurridge and George Stantschef watch storm clouds pass over Manly’s Fairy Bower beach on Sydney’s north shore. (Reuters)

A wave-like cloud looms over Sydney’s Manly Beach during an afternoon storm front. (REUTERS/Will Burgess)

A large storm cloud covers Sydney. A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for the metropolitan area with heavy rainfall due to cause flash flooding in areas of the city. (Photo by Cassie Trotter/Getty Images)

Time for a swim? A storm cloud passes over bathers who prepare to leave Sydney’s Manly Beach during an afternoon storm. (REUTERS/Will Burgess)