A fresh search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 has been launched more than a decade after the plane vanished in one of aviation’s greatest mysteries. Maritime exploration firm Ocean Infinity has resumed the hunt for the missing aircraft, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced on Tuesday.
Details of the New Search:
Loke told reporters that contract details between Malaysia and Ocean Infinity are still being finalized, but he welcomed the firm’s proactive approach to deploying its ships for the search. The Boeing 777, carrying 239 people, disappeared from radar screens on March 8, 2014, while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
Despite the largest search in aviation history, the plane has never been found. The new search will focus on a 15,000-square-kilometer area of the southern Indian Ocean, based on updated data analysis.
Previous Search Efforts:
Ocean Infinity conducted an unsuccessful search in 2018, following a massive Australia-led search that lasted three years and covered 120,000 square kilometers before being suspended in January 2017. The Australia-led search yielded only a few pieces of debris.
The new search will operate on a “no find, no fee” basis, with Malaysia paying $70 million to Ocean Infinity only if the plane is found.
Reactions from Families:
Grace Nathan, a Malaysian who lost her mother on the flight, expressed relief and hope at the resumption of the search. “We’re very relieved and pleased that the search is resuming once again after such a long hiatus,” she told AFP.
Theories and Investigations:
The disappearance of MH370 has sparked numerous theories, ranging from credible to outlandish, including speculation that veteran pilot Zaharie Ahmad Shah had gone rogue. A final report released in 2018 pointed to failings by air traffic control and indicated that the plane’s course was changed manually.
Next Steps:
Ocean Infinity’s search is expected to last 18 months, though exact timelines and operational details are still being negotiated. The Malaysian government remains committed to uncovering the truth behind the tragedy.
