Authorities of Malaysia announced on Sunday the 3rd that they can resume the search for MH370, the flight carrying 239 people that disappeared in 2014. A North American company that tried to find the plane in 2018 suggested a new search in southern Brazil. Indian Oceanwhere the Malaysia Airlines plane is believed to have crashed a decade ago.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said he would invite ocean robotics company Ocean Infinity, based in Texas, to present his latest “no result, no cost” proposal. The government has long said it would not support another search without new clues about the plane's location.
“The government is committed to locating MH370,” Loke said at a memorial event marking the 10th anniversary of the plane’s disappearance. “We really hope the search can find the plane and tell the next of kin the truth.”
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Monday (4) that his country is ready to reopen the investigation into Flight MH370 if there is “a compelling case.” “If there is a compelling case that needs to be reopened, we will be happy to reopen it,” Anwar said at a news conference in Australia, where he takes part in the special AustraliaASEAN summit. “It is an issue that affects people’s lives and whatever needs to be done must be done,” the prime minister said.
The missing
The Boeing 777 plane disappeared from radar shortly after takeoff on March 8, 2014, carrying 239 people, most of them Chinese citizens, on a flight from the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur Beijing. Satellite data showed the plane deviated from its planned flight path and flew over the southern Indian Ocean, where it is believed to have crashed.
However, an extensive search in several countries revealed no evidence Debris has reached the East African coast and islands in the Indian Ocean. A private search conducted by Ocean Infinity in 2018 also yielded no leads.
Nathan VPR, a member of the Voice MH370 group made up of victims' families, said Ocean Infinity originally planned a search last year but it was delayed by the delivery of a new fleet. It is now on track to continue the search, he said.
A woman writes a message during an event held by the passengers' families to mark the tenth anniversary since the flight disappeared. Photo: Arif Karteno/AFP
“As long as we live, we will not stop pushing for the truth”
Ocean Infinity CEO Oliver Punkett told the New Straits Times that the company had improved its technology since 2018. “We now feel able to restart the search for MH370,” he said. “We have worked with many experts, some outside of Ocean Infinity, to continue data analysis in the hope of narrowing the research scope to one where success is potentially achievable.”
Loke declined to disclose Ocean Infinity's proposed fee if the plane is found, saying it is subject to negotiations. He said cost is not an issue and he doesn't expect any obstacles to the search. Loke's reaction brought tears of joy from some family members who attended the memorial service at a shopping mall in suburban Kuala Lumpur.
“I’m on top of the world,” said Jacquita Gomes, whose husband was a flight attendant on the plane. She said she is grateful that she now has the opportunity to say a final goodbye and a final goodbye. “We've been on a rollercoaster ride for 10 years… If he's not found, I hope he continues with other searches,” he said.
Relatives of passengers from Malaysia, Australia, China It is India paid tribute to their loved ones during the event and lit candles in their honor. “It doesn't matter if it's 10, 20 years or more, as long as we're still alive… we won't stop pushing for the truth. We believe the truth will come out eventually,” said Bai Zhong from China, whose wife was on the plane./Associated Press and EFE.