MH370: Malaysian Prime Minister's full statement on second anniversary of flight's disappearance

The Malaysian Prime Minister has said the search for flight MH370 "has been the most challenging in aviation history".

Najib Razak made his comments in a statement to mark the second anniversary since the Malaysia Airlines flight 370 disappeared from radar screens on 8 March 2014. It had been travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

It is believed that the aircraft, which had 239 people on board, crashed into the Indian Ocean.

A wing part, the flaperon, washed up onto the French island of Reunion in July 2015. More debris from plane is believed to have been discovered in Mozambique in early March, though this has not yet been confirmed,

Prime Minister Razak said he expected the search operation for MH370 to be completed later this year.

Here is the statement in full:

"Today, we mark the second anniversary of the disappearance of flight MH370. We mourn the loss of the 239 people, including 50 Malaysians, who were on board.

"The discovery of debris on the island of Reunion last July provided further evidence that, as I announced on 24th March 2014, flight MH370 tragically ended in the southern Indian Ocean. But we know that neither the passage of time, nor this evidence, will comfort those whose grief cannot be assuaged.

"The disappearance of MH370 was without precedent, and the search has been the most challenging in aviation history. Amidst some of the world’s most inhospitable terrain – at depths of up to six kilometres, across underwater mountain ranges, and in the world’s fastest currents – the search team have been working tirelessly to find MH370’s resting place. We are grateful for their efforts.

"The current search operation is expected to be completed later this year, and we remain hopeful that MH370 will be found in the 120,000 square kilometre area under investigation. If it is not, then Malaysia, Australia and China will hold a tripartite meeting to determine the way forward.

"We remain committed to doing everything within our means to solving what is an agonising mystery for the loved ones of those who were lost. On this most difficult of days, our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who will never be forgotten."