[Avionics Today 01-29-2015] The Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia has officially declared the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 as an accident under Annexes 12 and 13 of the Chicago Convention. Azharuddin Abdul Rahman, director of Malaysia’s civil aviation regulatory authority, said the search and rescue mission has involved 160 assets inclusive of 65 aircraft and 95 vessels with experts from 25 different countries. The aircraft still has not been located.
Rahman also declared all of the passengers on flight MH370 to be presumed lost.
"Following the announcement today, Malaysia Airlines’ representatives will be contacting the appointed next-of-kin to proceed with the compensation process," Malaysia Airlines said in a statement released on its website. "
The government of Malaysia plans to continue searching for the Boeing 777-200. So far, the search effort has covered more than 7,180 miles.