Chinese satellites spot three oil slicks in search for Malaysian flight MH370

Chinese satellites have reportedly found three oil slicks that are believed to be related to the missing Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, almost five days after the jetliner disappeared off radar screens.

According to the Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the latest findings are based on comparison of images of the oil patterns from remote-sensing satellite before and after the plane went missing over the ocean surface in the targeted search area.

Earlier, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam said it had found an object in the sea that might be linked to the missing jet, but reports later confirmed that those objects did not belong to flight MH370.

The Chinese institute is working with other departments such as the National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center in order to determine the hypothetical location of oil from the aircraft, reported state-run news agency Xinhua.

The institute is unable to confirm if the oil slicks are similar to those sampled earlier search, as rescue teams have not provided data about the exact location.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian military has denied recent reports that the aircraft was tracked over the Strait of Malacca, adding to the mystery surrounding the Beijing-bound aircraft with 239 people onboard.

Malaysian airforce suggested that the missing jet turned west, away from its scheduled route, before disappearing an hour after takeoff from Kuala Lumpur on 8 March.

Hijacking, personal or psychological problems of passengers or crew, sabotage, and mechanical problems are currently being evaluated.

Malaysia’s police chief has ordered investigations into the personal and psychological profiles of people onboard flight MH370, as he proposed a theory that the incident could be a deliberate attempt to gain financial benefit from a large insurance policy.