Search for missing Malaysian jet in focused underwater area to be completed in 5-7 days

PERTH, AUSTRALIA: The search of the focused underwater area by the Bluefin-21 will complete in five to seven days, the Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC) told Xinhua on Saturday.

"Provided the weather is favourable for launch and recovery of the AUV and we have a good run with the serviceability of the AUV, we should complete the search of the focused underwater area in five to seven days," the JACC told Xinhua.

The underwater search of this area by autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) Bluefin-21 commenced on Monday (April 14).

According to the JACC, the focused underwater search area is defined as a circle of 10 km radius around the second Towed Pinger Locator detection which occurred on April 8.

"We are satisfied with progress so far, although there has been some planning adjustments caused by weather, unserviceability and other unforeseen circumstances," the JACC said.

-Xinhua