RANGOON — The search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 has expanded to Burmese airspace, according to Burma’s Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).
Tin Naing Tun, director general of the department, said the DCA granted permission for Malaysian authorities to search over Burmese airspace for seven days, beginning Wednesday, for the Boeing 777 plane that went missing on Saturday while flying over Southeast Asia. He said a Burmese rescue committee had been formed to offer assistance but would not participate in the search without a request from Malaysia.
“A state-level rescue committee has been organized. In the event that the Malaysian government needs assistance from the Burma government, they will communicate and collaborate with each other. With approval from the committee and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we, the DCA, will help them within Burmese airspace,” he told The Irrawaddy on Thursday. He said the search in Burmese airspace would focus on areas around Kaw Thaung city in Tenasserim Division, near the Andaman Sea.