BD joins search campaign for missing M\\\'sian aircraft in Bay

FE Team | Published: March 16, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

Bangladesh joined on Saturday the frantic search campaign for the missing Malaysian aircraft in the Bay of Bengal engaging two frigates and two patrol aircraft, officials said, reports BSS.
"Under a decision, the search campaign will be primarily carried out in the Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas but it could be expanded covering more areas if required," an ISPR statement said.
It said in line with the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's directive, two navy frigates-BNS Umar Faruque and BNS Bangabandhu-already joined the campaign and two maritime patrol aircraft.
The foreign ministry also issued a nearly identical statement saying the mobilisation of the frigates and aircraft was aimed at supplementing the on-going search for the missing Malaysian aircraft Boeing. 777.
A navy officer familiar with the process Bangladesh decided to join the search operations along with 12 other countries in view of emerging possibilities that the missing aircraft could be tracked down in the Bay of Bengal or nearby areas.
Replying to a question, the official said no time limit was issued for the duration of the campaign while the search areas for the aircraft's wrecks as it went missing a week ago with 239 passengers and crew on board.
The Bangladesh decision came as reports said faint electronic signals sent to satellites from a missing Malaysian jetliner show it might have been flown thousands of miles off course before running out of fuel over the Indian ocean.
It is believed that the aircraft might have been forced to divert its course towards the Indian ocean or the Bay of Bengal as hectic search in the South China Sea failed to locate it.
The fate of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370, and the 239 passengers and crew aboard, has been shrouded in mystery since it vanished off Malaysia's east coast less than an hour into a March 8 scheduled flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.