Search for missing aircraft expanded: Malaysian FM

Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman told reporters in Budapest on Wednesday that the search for the missing Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777 had been expanded into the Straits of Malacca on the fifth day.  [Special coverage]

Anifa explained that when the plane disappeared it should have been flying over the South China Sea near Vietnam. Despite a coordinated international effort involving the United States, China and other countries, he said, no debris had been found.

However, civilians working on oil platforms and from fishermen said they saw a low-flying aircraft apparently crossing over Malaysia and heading westward towards the Strait of Malacca.

The search, therefore, has been expanded to cover all possible land and sea routes and "for the sake of the passengers and crew, and everybody concerned we will continue the search and rescue mission on both sides" of Malaysia.

He reiterated that authorities still did not know what happened and as of now there was no evidence to support foul play.

The Malaysian FM is making a string of visits in Europe for a seat in the United Nations Security Council, media reports said.

A Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 vanished after climbing to a cruising altitude in the early hours of Saturday when flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

The Boeing 777-200 aircraft was carrying 12 crew members and 227 passengers, including 154 Chinese.