Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia’s transport ministry has announced that the deep-sea search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 will resume on December 30, renewing hopes of finally locating the aircraft that vanished 11 years ago.
The Boeing 777, carrying 239 people — mostly Chinese nationals — disappeared from radar on March 8, 2014, shortly after departing Kuala Lumpur for Beijing. Satellite data later indicated that the plane veered off its original route and flew towards the far-southern Indian Ocean, where it is believed to have crashed.
In a statement, the ministry confirmed that US-based marine robotics company Ocean Infinity will lead the operation, searching intermittently from December 30 for a total of 55 days in high-priority zones identified as having the best chance of locating the wreckage. The government said the latest decision reflects its commitment to providing closure to the families of the victims.
Malaysia approved a “no-find, no-fee” deal with Ocean Infinity in March, authorising the resumption of the seabed hunt over a 15,000 sq km area. Under the contract, the company will receive $70 million only if the wreckage is found. The earlier attempt was halted in April due to bad weather.
Despite one of the most expensive multinational searches in aviation history, no confirmed wreck site has been located so far. Debris pieces were previously washed ashore along parts of the east African coast and Indian Ocean islands, but they did not lead to the main aircraft. A private search by Ocean Infinity in 2018 also ended without results.
With PTI inputs