Search operation for MH370: Update 8 0800 AEDT 21/3/14

21st March, 2014: 0800 (AEDT)

Search operation for Malaysian airlines aircraft: Update 8

Search operations in the Southern Indian Ocean for the missing Malaysia Airlines aircraft will continue today in the Australian Search and Rescue Region.

Today’s search will utilise four military aircraft, including two RAAF Orions, tasked by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) to search a 23,000 kilometre area, about 2500 kilometres south-west of Perth.

A merchant ship remains in the search area. Another merchant ship is en route to the area and is expected to arrive tonight.

A total of six merchant ships have assisted in the search since a shipping broadcast was issued by AMSA on Monday night.

The current search area has been identified based on satellite data imagery from the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation (AGO) provided to AMSA on Thursday morning.

Analysis of the imagery by AGO identified two objects possibly relating to the missing aircraft. The images have been assessed as being credible but it is possible they do not relate to the search for MH370.

The Royal Australian Navy HMAS Success is also en route to the search area and is due in the area on 22 March.

To date, no sightings have been reported.

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