Kuala Lumpur: The mysterious disappearance of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 in March last year was today declared as an accident, fulfilling a legal obligation that will allow the next of kin of the 239 people, including five Indians, on board to claim compensation.

In a pre-recorded message Malaysia civil aviation chief Azharuddin Abdul Rahman said, "It is with the heaviest heart and deepest sorrow that we officially declare Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 an accident."