Missing plane was not picked up by any local radar: MNDF

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has said that the missing Malaysia Airlines plane was not picked up by any radar in the Maldives.

MNDF said in a statement issued tonight that search efforts are ongoing in the Maldivian territory, and that based on information gathered thus far, the plane was not picked up by any airport radar or military radar in the Maldives.

Joint search efforts for MH370 are ongoing by military forces of 26 countries.

Local police have also initiated an investigation after it was reported earlier today that people in Dhaalu Kudahuvadhoo saw a “low flying jumbo jet" on the morning of the disappearance of the flight.

Haveeru reported that the plane was flying so low that witnesses were able to tell that it was “a white aircraft, with red stripes across it”.

MH370 was en route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur with 239 passengers when it went missing on 8 March.