Indian expert says Malaysian announcement about MH370 credible

An Indian expert said Tuesday that the announcement by Malaysia of the presumed crashing of air jet MH370 in the southern Indian Ocean is credible. [Special coverage]

Lt. Gen. Ramesh Chopra of the Indian Army told Xinhua that until physical concrete debris are found, one cannot say the conclusion about the plane's fate is definitive. But the satellite images showing some likely debris from the plane made up a good lead to find the plane.

"So far, it is only satellite images. However, it is a very good lead," he said.

As for why Malaysia announced the presumed ending of the plane before debris are obtained, he said Kuala Lumpur wants to show the world "it is on the job" and is hopeful of finding the plane in near future.

"Now many countries are going to the Indian Ocean to help Malaysia look for the plane. Of course, it is a difficult job as the areas being searched are very large. Indian Ocean is a place where hundreds of kilometers are nothing," he said.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, citing latest British satellite data, said Monday that MH370 had crashed in the southern Indian Ocean.

Indian media also widely reported the announcement by Malaysia but said too many questions remained unanswered about what happened to the plane.