The exhaustive search operation for the MH370 in the southern Indian Ocean has been bolstered by extra military and commercial vessels and much clearer weather, with Australia-led air teams joined by ships and helicopters as officials scramble to cover the massive 600,000 square-kilometre search area.
The first of Australia’s Orion P3 aircraft has completed its two-hour sweep of the search area, some 2,500 kilometres (1,500 miles) south-west of Perth after American satellite imagery picked up two large objects – one up to 24 metres (78ft) in length.
Officials are preparing for the worst possible news with aviation experts still trying to unravel the enduring mystery of flight MH370, which disappeared on March 8.
The Orion back to the search zone reported the fierce weather conditions which hampered Thursday’s 10-hour sweep had vastly improved Friday, though low cloud and rain would still pose a challenge for the growing search party that now includes 29 planes, 21 ships and six helicopters.
China stepped up its assistance in the search, sending three warships to join the expanding fleet. A fourth Chinese vessel, an icebreaker currently docked at Perth, may also join the search.
Five military aircraft including two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P3 Orions were dispatched a four-hour flight to the search zone, Daily Mail informs.
