MIssing Plane Investigation Widens

Malaysia Airlines: missing plane investigation widens 

• No wreckage found in search for MH370, which went missing on Saturday en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing

• Four passengers’ identities under investigation, two of whom were travelling on stolen passports

• More than 40 ships and 22 aircraft involved in search operation

What is believed to be an oil slick off the Vietnamese coast, pictured from a Vietnamese Air Force plane. Photograph: Hoang Ha/EPA

The Malaysia Airlines press conference in Beijing has just wrapped up. The Guardian’s Jonathan Kaiman was there:

A senior manager at Malaysia Airlines, Ignatius Ong Ming Choy, has finished his press conference at hotel near Beijing Airport. He emphasised that the aeroplane had not yet been located.

“MA has informed family members to expect the worst,” he said.

The airline will send two family members for each passenger down to Kuala Lumpur on Monday if they desire to wait for further information there. Choi did not elaborate on reports two passengers were travelling on stolen passports, noting only that the names on the passports matched those on the passenger lists.

“We’re waiting for more information - this is all that we can say. If we have more information we’ll inform everyone,” he said.

He confirmed the report that the aeroplane appeared to have turned back towards Kuala Lumpur but added that there was no distress signal issued. He said that they were expecting another announcement on the suggestion the plane had turned back. 
He added: “Fearing the worst, disaster specialists from the USA will be assisting Malaysia Airlines out of Kuala Lumpur as we speak.”

On Sunday afternoon the scene at the Lido hotel in Beijing - where about 100 family members are reportedly waiting for further information - was more subdued than on Saturday. The hotel seemed more prepared for the influx of media, with chairs and tables strewn throughout the lobbies and hallways. Volunteers from a Buddhist organisation have been dispatched to help family members cope with their emotional distress.