VietNamNet Bridge - Military experts said that the Malaysian plane might not crash in Vietnam territory but the rescue forces will keep searching it on land.

A meeting at the Committee for Search and Rescue of Vietnam. Photo: Hoanh Sang.

Colonel Vu The Chien, deputy chief of the National Committee for Search and Rescue’s Office, said on the fifth day (March 12), Vietnam used 8 aircraft, 9 ships to search the plane in distress. The entire search area of Vietnam reached approximately 88,000 km2.

As Malaysia focuses on the Malacca Strait, about 1000 km from the current search area, Air Force Commander Phuong Minh Hoa proposed to reduce the number of flights and only use two aircraft of AN 26 and CASA for the search.

Based on the actual situation, Deputy Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Tran Quang Khue said it is likely that the Malaysian aircraft crashed in Vietnam’s waters. Gen. Khue also proposed changing the search plan to fit the situation.

The Chief of General Staff – General Do Ba Ty, said Malaysia had not informed conclusions concerning the missing aircraft so the search would continue, but will focus on the mainland.

Ty emphasized the control of foreign planes and ships that joined the search in Vietnam territory.

"Foreign planes and ships come here only for a single purpose of search and rescue. Therefore, when Vietnam stop the search, the foreign ships and aircraft must also stop their search," Ty said.

At the press conference on March 12 afternoon on the search for the missing jet, Major-General Do Minh Tuan, deputy commander of the Air Defense and Air Force said that Vietnam mobilized the largest-ever forces. The search area was expanded each day. However, no traces were found in the fourth day of search.

On March 12, 31 vessels participated in the search, including 9 of Vietnam, 9 of Malaysia, 6 of China, 3 of the US, 3 of Singapore and 1 of Thailand. There were also 22 aircraft, including 8 from Vietnam, 4 each form Malaysia, China, USA and 2 from Singapore.

Today, March 13, the search forces of Vietnam will be maintained, with 8 ships and 3 planes. The search will be expanded to the southern coast of Ca Mau and Nam Con Son (Vung Tau).

Son Hai