Ocean floor debris not from MH370

Geoffrey Thomas

By Geoffrey Thomas Wed Aug 12, 2015

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has dismissed a story from the Dailymail.co.uk regarding debris found on the seabed as being “highly likely” from MH370 as incorrect.

The article which has been picked up by major wire services claims that images of debris are Category 3 being the most likely to be plane debris. In fact it is the reverse with Category 3 being the least likely and Category 1 the most likely.

In a statement for Airlineratings.com the ATSB said: “The article describes ‘Category 3’ sonar finds as being the most likely to be aircraft debris. In fact, they are the least likely to be aircraft debris. Classification 3 is assigned to sonar contacts that are of some interest as they stand out from their surroundings but have low probability of being significant to the search. The underwater search so far has identified more than 400 seabed features that have been classified as category 3.”

The pictures touted by the online website as "new" were in fact taken months ago and posted to the ATSB's website to show some of the random items being found by the search teams.

In all probability the objects are shipping containers that have been swept overboard in a storm.

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