New analysis of satellite data shows Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 went down over the southern Indian Ocean, according to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.
The airline sent a text message to the families of those on board Monday morning saying it must now assume “beyond any reasonable doubt” flight MH370 is lost and there are no survivors. (Via NBC)
The prime minister confirmed that information 30 minutes later during a press conference. He added this is a remote location, seemingly ruling out the possibility of any survivors. (Via CNN)
The information appears to answer one of the major questions: “where did the plane go down?” But we still don’t know why the plane went down.
These developments came the same day an Australian aircraft spotted two large objects in the Indian Ocean officials believe could be related to the flight. (Via ABC)
CNN reports the Australian Maritime Safety Authority says one of those objects is "a grey or green circular object" and the other is "an orange rectangular object."
News.com.au says the objects are about 2500 kilometers, or more than 1500 miles, southwest of Perth, Australia — which would be in the same area the data shows the flight ended.
Malaysia's transport minister says search crews are working to locate the debris in the coming hours.
"It is possible the objects could be received within the next few hours or by tomorrow morning at the latest." (Via BBC)
Malaysian authorities say the plane dipped to 12,000 feet before disappearing from radar March 8. There were 239 people on board.
