CCTV Correspondent James Chau breaks down as he relays the news back home.

At 10pm yesterday night, 24 March, Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Najib Razak called for a press conference at PWTC. During the press conference, he announced that based on new data collected from Inmarsat, a UK company and AAIB (UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch), the conclusion is the Malaysia Airlines flight MH370’s last position was in the middle of the Indian Ocean, west of Perth.  He proceeded to announce that based on this new data, the conclusion is that MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean. Below is the prime minister’s statement from last night’s press conference;

Photo Credit: NajibRazak, Twitter

“This evening I was briefed by representatives from the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB). They informed me that Inmarsat, the UK company that provided the satellite data which indicated the northern and southern corridors, has been performing further calculations on the data. Using a type of analysis never before used in an investigation of this sort, they have been able to shed more light on MH370’s flight path.”

“Based on their new analysis, Inmarsat and the AAIB have concluded that MH370 flew along the southern corridor, and that its last position was in the middle of the Indian Ocean, west of Perth.”

“This is a remote location, far from any possible landing sites. It is therefore with deep sadness and regret that I must inform you that, according to this new data, flight MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean.”

“We will be holding a press conference tomorrow with further details. In the meantime, we wanted to inform you of this new development at the earliest opportunity. We share this information out of a commitment to openness and respect for the families, two principles which have guided this investigation.”

“Malaysia Airlines have already spoken to the families of the passengers and crew to inform them of this development. For them, the past few weeks have been heart-breaking; I know this news must be harder still. I urge the media to respect their privacy, and to allow them the space they need at this difficult time.”

Malaysia Airlines CEO Ahmad Jauhari Yahya (in white) being consoled by Deputy Education Minister P. Kamalanathan as he breaks down after the press conference last night.

Below is a statement released by Malaysia Airlines early this morning;

“It is with deep sadness that Malaysia Airlines earlier this evening had to confirm to the families of those on board Flight MH370 that it must now be assumed the flight had been lost. As the Prime Minister said, respect for the families is essential at this difficult time. And it is in that spirit that we informed the majority of the families in advance of the Prime Minister’s statement in person and by telephone. SMSs were used only as an additional means of communicating with the families. Those families have been at the heart of every action the company has taken since the flight disappeared on 8th March and they will continue to be so. When Malaysia Airlines receives approval from the investigating authorities, arrangements will be made to bring the families to the recovery area and until that time, we will continue to support the ongoing investigation.”

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) will continue searching for traces of MH370.

Another press conference is expected to take place this morning. More updates to follow.

Defence Minister Hishammuddin breaks down during an interview with James Chau of CCTV earlier this week. Photo Credit: James Chau, Twitter

Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein with AAIB experts, taken yesterday afternoon. Photo Credit: Hishammuddin’s Facebook

Prime Minister Najib Razak receives a call from Australian PM saying that two objects were located in the Indian Ocean near Australia. Photo credit: NajibRazak, Twitter