The amount of a_se covering, by people in authority, that goes on in any regime that has been in power for decades, is amazing.
Lithium batteries plus water results in a big bang. We used to tow in-water sensors, that used lithium batteries, from a seismic vessel. Sometimes it was too dangerous to open the housings to change the batteries and the sensors would be returned intact to the manufacturer.
Here is some info from the wikipeia on MH370 and Lithium Batteries.
Cargo On 17 March, Malaysia Airlines chief executive Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said, without disclosing the flight manifest, that the aircraft was carrying 3 to 4 tonnes of mangosteens, and that nothing it transported was dangerous.[193][194][195] Three days later, he also confirmed that potentially flammable batteries, identified as lithium-ion,[196] were on board, adding that all cargo was "packed as recommended by the ICAO", checked several times and deemed to meet the regulations.[197][198][199]
Air travel From January 1, 2013 much stricter regulations for the carriage of Lithium batteries were introduced by IATA regarding the carriage of lithium batteries by air (available at [2]). They were adopted by the International Postal Union; however, some countries, e.g. the UK, have decided that they will not accept Lithium batteries unless they are included with the equipment they power.
Because of the above risks, shipping and carriage of lithium batteries is restricted in some situations, particularly transport of lithium batteries by air.
The United States Transportation Security Administration announced restrictions effective January 1, 2008 on lithium batteries in checked and carry-on luggage. The rules forbid lithium batteries not installed in a device from checked luggage and restrict them in carry-on luggage by total lithium content.[25]
Australia Post prohibited transport of lithium batteries in air mail during 2010.[26]
UK regulations for the transport of lithium batteries were amended[27] by the National Chemical Emergency Centre in 2009.
In late 2009, at least some postal administrations restricted airmail shipping (including EMS) of lithium batteries, lithium-ion batteries and products containing these (such as laptops and cell phones). Among these countries are Hong Kong,[28] USA[29] and Japan.[30]
Lithium batteries and methamphetamine labs Unused lithium batteries provide a convenient source of lithium metal for use as a reducing agent in methamphetamine labs. Some jurisdictions have passed laws to restrict lithium battery sales or asked businesses to make voluntary restrictions in an attempt to help curb the creation of illegal meth labs. In 2004 Wal-Mart stores were reported to limit the sale of disposable lithium batteries to three packages in Missouri and four packages in other states.
