MH370: Malaysia may renew hunt for missing aircraft, passengers 10 years later
Relatives of passengers from the Malaysia Airlines flight that mysteriously vanished 10 years ago are writing messages at the Day of Remembrance for MH370 in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, on March 3, 2024. (Photo by Supian Ahmad/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 may get another look after the Malaysian government said it will renew the hunt for the missing aircraft and its passengers 10 years ago.
It's believed the plane crashed.
The decision to reopen the search came after a U.S. technology firm agreed to conduct the search.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said Texas-based Ocean Infinity has proposed another "no find, no fee" basis to scour the seabeds, expanding from the site where it first searched in 2018. He said he has invited the company to meet him to evaluate new scientific evidence it has to find the plane's final resting place.
If the evidence is credible, he said, he will seek Cabinet's approval to sign a new contract with Ocean Infinity to resume the search.
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"The government is steadfast in our resolve to locate MH370," Loke told a remembrance event to mark the 10th anniversary of the disappearance of the jet. "We really hope the search can find the plane and provide truth to the next-of-kin."
The Boeing 777 plane carrying 239 people, mostly Chinese nationals, from the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, to Beijing, vanished from radar shortly after taking off on March 8, 2014. Satellite data showed the plane deviated from its flight path and was believed to have crashed in the southern Indian Ocean.
But an expensive multinational government search failed to turn up any clues, although several pieces of debris washed ashore on the east African coast and Indian Ocean islands. A private search in 2018 by Ocean Infinity also found nothing but the tragedy sparked moves to bolster aviation safety .
K.S. Nathan, a member of the Voice MH370 group comprising next-of-kin, said Ocean Infinity initially planned a new search last year but it was delayed by the delivery of its new fleet of ships and assets. It is now on track to resume the hunt, he said.
Loke declined to reveal the fee proposed by Ocean Infinity if it finds the plane, as this is subject to negotiation. He said financial cost is not an issue and that he doesn't foresee any hindrances for the search to proceed if all goes well.
Loke's response sparked tears of joy in some family members at the event held in a mall in a Kuala Lumpur suburb.
"I'm on top of the world," said Jacquita Gomes, whose flight attendant husband was on the plane. She said she is thankful that she may now have a chance for full closure and say a final goodbye.
"We have been on a roller coaster for the last 10 years. ... If it is not found, I hope that it will continue with another search," she said.
Family members of passengers from Malaysia, Australia, China and India paid tribute to their loved ones during the event, lighting a candle on stage to remember them.
"No matter if it is 10 years, 20 years or more, as long as we are still alive...we will not cease to press for the truth. We believe the truth will eventually come to light," said Bai Zhong, from China, whose wife was on the plane.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. This story was reported from Los Angeles.