Impostors using Fake Passports who boarded Malaysia Airlines MH370 "Not Asian-looking, they look like footballer Ballotelli," says DCA chief

Missing MH370: Impostors "not Asian-looking," says DCA chief

BY ZUHRIN AZAM AHMAD AND FARIK ZOLKEPLI

   

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SEPANG: Investigators studying CCTV footage of the two impostors who boarded flight MH370 with stolen passports have said they were not "Asian-looking".

Department of Civil Aviation director-general Datuk Azharuddin Abdul Rahman said authorities have studied the CCTV footage and confirmed the duo were not Asians.

"Investigations also showed that the duo might have been involved in a stolen passport syndicate.

"We cannot reveal their nationality as it might hamper investigations," he told a press conference on Monday night.

He added the footage, which showed the duo's movement at KLIA, revealed that authorities had adhered to strict security protocols.

Azharuddin also announced that the search and rescue radius would be expanded to 100 nautical miles from the point where MH370 went missing.

"It is in line with intensifying our search for the airplane," he said.

Bernama reported on Sunday night that Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said a probe would be conducted on Immigration Department personnel on duty during flight MH370.

He was quoted as saying; "I am still puzzled how come (Immigration officers) cannot think, an Italian and Austrian but with Asian facial features".  

UPDATE [8:38pm]: In a just concluded press conference, authorities said they are  investigating possibility that two dubious passengers are part of a stolen passport syndicate. 

Department of Civil Aviation Director-General Azharuddin Abdul Rahman confirmed the men DID NOT look Asian. Asked what they looked like, he replied: "Do you know Balotelli (the famous Italian footballer). They look like Balotelli."