Malaysia Flight 370 'Ended in Southern Indian Ocean;' 'All Lives Are Lost,' Says Family Member
Any inkling of hope for a survival story coming out of the agonizing search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 was definitively dashed Monday when Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak revealed that the flight ended in the middle of the remote southern Indian Ocean, "far from any possible landing sites."
It was a grim and somber end for the families of the 239 people who boarded the ill-fated flight which went missing on March 8.
"They have told us all lives are lost," a family member explained in a CNN report which said the news gutted the families. Screaming and crying could be heard after the news was delivered, explained the report.
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Prime Minister Razak cited new analysis of satellite data by British satellite company Inmarsat and the British Air Accidents Investigation Branch.
"This evening I was briefed by representatives from the U.K. Air Accident investigation branch, or AAIB. They inform me that Inmarsat, the U.K. company that provided the satellite data which indicated northern and southern corridors, has been performing further calculations on the data, using a type of analysis never before used in an investigation of this sort," he said.
"They have been able to shed more light on MH370's flight path. Based on their new analysis, Inmarsat and the AAIB have concluded that MH370 flew along the southern corridor and that its last position was in the middle of the Indian Ocean, west of Perth.
"This is a remote location, far from any possible landing sites. It is therefore with deep sadness and regret that I must inform you that, according to this new data, Flight MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean," he said before asking the press to have respect for the grieving families.
"We share this information out of a commitment to openness and respect for the families – two principles which have guided this investigation. Malaysia Airlines has already spoken to the family of the passengers and crew to inform them of this development.
"For them the past few weeks have been heartbreaking. I know this news must be hard as well. I urge the media to respect their privacy and allow them the space they need at this very difficult time," he ended.
A Facebook page dedicated to the lone American who was on flight 370, Philip Wood, asked for prayers on Monday.
"Our collective hearts are hurting now. Please lift all the loved ones of MH370 with your good thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your continued support and for being our inspiration," noted a post to more than 22,000 followers.
