Malaysia announces continued search for MH370 wreckage

(CLO) Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed that Malaysia will continue its efforts to search for the wreckage of MH370, one of the world's most mysterious aviation disappearances, more than 10 years after the plane disappeared.

“Our responsibility, obligation and commitment is to the relatives of the victims. We hope that this time there will be a positive outcome, the plane wreckage will be found and bring comfort to the families,” Minister Loke said at a press conference on Friday.

Mr Loke said the exploration company Ocean Infinity had proposed a new search area in the southern Indian Ocean, which is believed to contain most of the wreckage. A new contract will be signed within 18 months and Ocean Infinity will receive $70 million if it finds the wreckage.

Malaysia has been reviewing new data on the plane's possible location, provided by experts and Ocean Infinity. "All the data has been presented and our team believes it is reliable," Loke said.

The new search area covers an area of ​​about 15,000 square kilometers, but the exact location has not been disclosed. Minister Loke affirmed that once the wreckage is found and verified, further steps will be taken to bring recognition to the victims.

Pieces of paper commemorating the victims of MH370. Photo: CC/WIKI

The new agreement will apply a “no find, no fee” principle, meaning Malaysia will not have to pay Ocean Infinity unless the wreckage is found and fully verified. Asked about the likelihood of finding the entire wreckage, Mr. Loke said it was beyond expectations. “At this point, no one knows for sure what will happen. It’s been more than 10 years,” Mr. Loke said.

Malaysia had previously hired Ocean Infinity in 2018 to search a large area of ​​the southern Indian Ocean based on data from Inmarsat satellites connected to the plane. However, this effort was unsuccessful and a subsequent extended search also failed to locate the plane.

Flight MH370, a Boeing 777 operated by Malaysia Airlines, went missing on March 8, 2014, while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. The plane was carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew members.

The disappearance of MH370 has captivated the world and become one of the greatest mysteries in aviation history. Investigators initially did not rule out the possibility that the plane had been deliberately diverted. Debris, some confirmed and some suspected to be from MH370, has been found washed up on beaches in Africa and on islands in the Indian Ocean.

Flight MH370 had more than 150 Chinese passengers, along with passengers from Malaysia, France, Australia, Indonesia, India, the US, Ukraine and Canada. The families of the victims have sought compensation from a number of parties, including Malaysia Airlines, Boeing, Rolls-Royce (the aircraft engine manufacturer) and insurance group Allianz.

As the search continues, the victims' families remain hopeful that one day there will be answers to one of the biggest disappearances in aviation history.

Hoai Phuong (according to Washington Post, Reuters, CNN)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/malaysia-tuyen-bo-tiep-tuc-tim-kiem-xac-may-bay-mh370-post326662.html