The Malaysian flight MH370 vanished from the radar on March 8, 2014, and disappeared immediately. The flight carried 239 people, mainly comprising Chinese nationals. It flew from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and was set to arrive in Beijing, China, but never did.
According to the Associated Press, the flight is believed to have crashed in the southern Indian Ocean as it was flying over the water body after deviating from its designated path, per the Satellite data. However, the exact location of the crash is still not confirmed.
After a decade of unexplained disappearance, Malaysia is ready to resume the search. However, they have devised a new deal to save them money this time. The Malaysian government has received a "no find, no fee" proposal from Ocean Infinity, a Texas-based company.
Soon after the flight went missing, a search operation was carried out, which cost around $150 million. The multinational search effort lasted two years and finally ended in 2017.
Ocean Infinity also failed to find anything in 2018. Therefore, the company has developed a new deal that is also cost-effective for the nation.
Malaysian Government announces new search for MH370
On Friday, Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced the new deal with the marine robotics firm Ocean Infinity. The company, which says it has improved its functioning since 2018, will continue the search operation at a new 5,800-square-mile site in the Indian Ocean. The operation is scheduled to take place next year.
In a statement, the minister said:
"The proposed new search area, identified by Ocean Infinity, is based on the latest information and data analyses conducted by experts and researchers. The company’s proposal is credible."
Loke further confirmed that the US company would get $70 million only if they found significant wreckage of the Boeing 777 that crashed in 2014. The negotiations with the company will be finalized by early 2025, as the company says the period between January and April will be the best time to search for the flight.
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"This decision reflects the government’s commitment to continuing the search operation and providing closure for the families of MH370 passengers," Loke added.
Families who lost their relatives to the alleged crash of MH370 are supporting the government's decision to resume the search. Many are also calling it a perfect "Christmas present" as they have been mourning the loss of their loved ones for more than a decade now.
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