Malaysia has announced plans to resume the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, nine years after its disappearance, focusing on a new area in the Indian Ocean.
The mystery of MH370
The Boeing 777, carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew members, vanished on March 8, 2014, during a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Despite extensive searches and investigations, the main wreckage of the plane remains undiscovered, though some debris has washed up on African shores and Indian Ocean islands.
New search plans
Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed that the exploration firm Ocean Infinity, which conducted the last search in 2018, will lead the new mission. The operation will cover a 15,000-square-kilometer area on a no-find-no-fee basis, with Ocean Infinity receiving $70 million only if significant wreckage is found.
“We hope this time will be positive, that the wreckage will be found and give closure to the families,” Loke stated during a press conference.
Data-driven confidence
The renewed effort follows an assessment of new data provided by multiple experts. Ocean Infinity expressed confidence in the likelihood of success.
“The data has all been presented. Our team has gone through it, and they felt that it is credible,” Loke said.
Previous search efforts
Earlier searches covered 120,000 square kilometers of the southern Indian Ocean, based on satellite data. Despite the efforts of Malaysia, Australia, and China, the plane’s main wreckage eluded discovery. Ocean Infinity’s previous attempts also failed to yield results.
Challenges and uncertainties
When asked about the chances of locating the wreckage, Loke admitted that finding the aircraft remains uncertain, stating, “At this point of time, nobody knows for sure. It has been over 10 years.”
Background on the disappearance
The flight’s last transmission occurred 40 minutes after takeoff as it entered Vietnamese airspace. After deviating from its planned route, military radar showed the plane flying over northern Malaysia and into the Andaman Sea before contact was lost.
A 2018 report suggested that the plane’s controls were likely deliberately manipulated but did not identify a responsible party or offer a definitive explanation.
International impact
Flight MH370 carried passengers from multiple countries, including China, Malaysia, France, Australia, and the United States. Relatives of the victims have demanded compensation from Malaysia Airlines, Boeing, and other associated parties.
The search will now move forward with the hope of providing long-awaited answers and closure to the families of those on board.
