New report highlights govt shortcomings in Flight MH370 disappearance

An independent investigation report said the cause of the disappearance of MH370 still cannot be determined and the “possibility of intervention by a third party cannot be excluded.”

world Updated: Jul 30, 2018 12:56 IST

A relative of passengers on board the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 reacts as she arrives for MH370 safety investigation report briefing at ministry of transportation in Putrajaya on July 30.(AP Photo)

An independent investigation report released more than four years after Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappeared is highlighting shortcomings in the government response that exacerbated the mystery.

The report reiterated Malaysia’s assertion the plane was deliberately diverted and flown for over seven hours after severing communications. It said the cause of the disappearance still cannot be determined and the “possibility of intervention by a third party cannot be excluded.”

It’s presumed to have crashed in the far southern Indian Ocean. The report issued Monday followed a second, private search that failed to find the plane.

Family members of those onboard the plane said they were frustrated as there were many gaps in the investigations and questions left unanswered.

The plane with 239 people on board vanished March 8, 2014.

First Published: Jul 30, 2018 12:55 IST