Image source: Arif Kartono/AFP
Kuala Lumpur: The search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which vanished over a decade ago, has officially been approved by the Malaysian government. While minor debris was found on islands in the Indian Ocean and close to the coast of East Africa, the primary wreckage was not found in the early search efforts, which included a massive operation by Ocean Infinity in 2018.
On November 5, Transport Minister Anthony Loke stated that, based on new data analysis that suggested the possible location of the aircraft, Malaysia is in discussions with Ocean Infinity regarding the company’s June 2024 proposal to start the underwater search for the plane.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke addressed the decision during a press conference on December 20, 2024, stating:
“Our responsibility and obligation and commitment is to the next of kin, “We hope this time will be positive, that the wreckage will be found and give closure to the families.”
The U.S. marine robotics company Ocean Infinity will carry out the fresh search on a “no find, no fee” premise, which means that the business will only be compensated if the wreckage is located. Off the coast of Western Australia, the search will cover an area of around 15,000 square kilometers in the southern Indian Ocean.
It is anticipated that final contract negotiations with Ocean Infinity would be concluded by early 2025, and the search might take up to 18 months. After years of families requesting an ongoing inquiry into the loss of the airplane, the government finally took action.
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