Search effort upscaled for missing Malaysian jet

He called for closer cooperation between relevant CAAV agencies to ensure the effectiveness of rescue work and aviation safety and security in Vietnam.

CAAV agencies have been assigned specific tasks of preparing infrastructure and legacy post-rescue.

*** Also on March 11, the National Committee for Rescue and Research held a meeting to continue scouring for the missing Malaysian jet.

Senior Lieut. Gen. Do Ba Ty, Deputy Minister of National Defence, asked armed forces to join the search efforts.

He proposed extending the search to border areas between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia and the eastern direction of the MH370 flight. He added it is essential that local residents also to take part in the search, which is being conducted round the clock.

*** Earlier, two hotlines were set up at the command office in Phu Quoc Island, southern Kien Giang province to promptly provide information relating to the search.

Deputy Minister of Transport Pham Quy Tieu told a March 11 press conference that Vietnamese forces will continue to widen the search area.

Accordingly, the search will be expanded to the east of the initially suspected area, 277 kilometres from Tho Chu Island in Kien Giang province, and the south and west of Con Dao Island, 185 kilometres off the coast of the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau. 

Tieu urged the deployment of more aircraft and naval ships for the operation, affirming that Vietnam will do its utmost to locate the missing jet.

He also asked Kien Giang province to continue calling on support from local fishermen to be vigilant in spotting any debris or floating objects that could be from a plane.

Phu Quoc International Airport is on alert to prepare any necessary human and material conditions and supplies for the rescue effort if required.