Malaysia Airlines will bring families of MH370 passengers to recovery area

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia Airlines will bring families of passengers on the crashed MH370 to the recovery area, said the airline's top officials, calling the case "an unprecendented event, requiring an unprecedented response".

"Based on new evidence, we must accept the painful reality that MH370 is lost, and none survived," said Malaysia Airlines (MAS) chairman Md Nor Yusof at a press conference on Tuesday.

MH370 Sequence of events map

"This has been an unprecedented event, requiring an unprecedented response," he said.

He added that the recovery process of MH370 may be even more complex.

MAS chief executive Ahmad Jauhari Yahya expressed his grief on the news that MH370 was confirmed to have crashed with no survivors.

"My heart breaks at the unimaginable pain suffered by all the families.

"We all feel enormous sorrow and pain that all who boarded MH370 on 8th of March will not see their families again," he told the press briefing.

Malaysia Airlines has provided financial assistance of US$5,000 (S$6,350) for each next of kin, as well as hotel, transport and meals.

It will also bring them to the recovery area, once approval is given, Mr Ahmad Jauhari said.

Australia will only grant visas to families when the evidence is recovered, he added.

MH370 Indian Ocean object sightings map

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