Search for missing Malaysian plane enters new phaseOctober 6, 2014 - 09:54 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The next phase of the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has begun in the southern Indian Ocean, BBC News reports. A ship equipped with specialized sonar technology has arrived in a remote stretch of ocean where the plane is believed to have ended its flight. The Boeing 777, with 239 people on board, went missing after it veered radically of course on March 8. Its whereabouts are still unknown despite a massive international air-and-sea search operation. Australian officials believe the plane was flying on autopilot when it crashed. Using satellite data, officials have concluded that the airliner ended its journey in the Indian Ocean, north-west of the Australian city of Perth. On Monday, Oct 6, a vessel contracted by Malaysia, the GO Phoenix, began its work in the seas about 1,800 km (1,100 miles) off western Australia. It will tow underwater sensors over the sea floor scanning for traces of jet fuel and using sonar and video to try to locate the plane, the BBC says. The Phoenix will be joined later this month by two ships sent by Dutch contractor Fugro. The operation could last at least a year. The head Australia's transport safety agency, which is leading the underwater search, said he was "cautiously optimistic" the next phase - jointly funded by Malaysia and Australia - would eventually locate the plane. "Cautious because of all the technical and other challenges we've got, but optimistic because we're confident in the analysis," Martin Dolan, chief commissioner of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "But it's just a very big area that we're looking at." The previous search was suspended four months ago to allow for detailed mapping of a 110,000 sq km (44,000 sq mile) area of sea bed. That survey uncovered previously unknown extinct volcanoes and depressions up to 1,400m deep. Photo: AFP Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | About 32,000 rally in Yerevan to deman Pashinyan’s resignation About 31,700 people attended an opposition rally on Thursday, May 9 in Yerevan demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Armenian, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister to meet in Almaty Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov will meet in Almaty. Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. |