Malaysia Airlines MH370 Declared an 'Accident', Search for Survivors Ends (NBC News)

The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 has been officially declared an "accident" and the search for survivors has been called off, authorities said Thursday. A statement released by Malaysia's Department of Civil Aviation said that all 239 people aboard the Boeing 777, which vanished on March 8, 2014, were now presumed dead. "It is therefore, with the heaviest heart and deepest sorrow that, on behalf of the government of Malaysia, we officially declare Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 an accident," said Azharuddin Abdul Rahman, director general of Malaysia's Department of Civil Aviation. "All 239 of the passengers and crew on board MH370 are presumed to have lost their lives." The underwater search for wreckage in the Southern Indian Ocean will continue. Rahman acknowledged that the announcement would "be very difficult for the families and loved ones," but said it would enable the families to begin the process of claiming compensation.