Did flammable cargo cause Flight MH370 to crash?

Was the highly flammable freight – lithium ion batteries – responsible for the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 on March 8?

Several global reports – including by Lloyd’s Loading List, News Now UK and the Washington Post – have reported that this is one of the possible theories put forward to explain the flight’s demise.

According to news reports, Malaysian Airlines chief executive, Ahmad Jauhari, admitted on Sunday that the B777-200 aircraft was carrying lithium-ion batteries which have been known to overheat and cause fires to break out.  Having initially denied that the aircraft was transporting any dangerous cargo, Jauhari admitted this, but stressed they were packaged according to safety regulations, reported the Washington Post.

Lloyd’s Loading List noted that the batteries, used in mobile phones and laptops, had been responsible for more than 140 incidents on aircraft over the past 23 years. “The theory is that the lithium-ion batteries ignited in the B777’s belly hold, triggering toxic fumes which swiftly rendered crew and passengers unconscious on inhalation,” reported LLL.