Freescale Semiconductor, a US company specialising in embedded processing, including solutions for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), has confirmed that 20 of its employees were passengers on missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370.
Flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing disappeared about an hour after taking off from Kuala Lumpur on 8 March. The flight had 239 people on board. Officials still don’t know what happened to the aircraft and the search for the plane is on-going.
A statement on the Freescale’s website read: ‘The entire Freescale Semiconductor community is deeply saddened by this news. The company is continuing to monitor the situation and will provide more information as it becomes available.’
Twelve of the 20 missing employees are from Malaysia and eight from China. ‘At present, we are solely focused on our employees and their families,’ said Gregg Lowe, president and CEO of Freescale, in a statement. ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this tragic event.’
Freescale provides microprocessors and embedded electronics for various markets, including advanced driver assistance systems using cameras, radar and millimetre wave technology. ADAS provides capabilities such as adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane-departure warning and night vision. The systems are also designed to prevent accidents, using imaging technology for collision avoidance, for instance.
Freescale has assembled counsellors and other professionals through its employee assistance programme, with around-the-clock support for those impacted by the tragedy.
