Nearly 10 years later, new evidence from an American company sparked hope in the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, with officials expressing confidence in approving a new search proposal, regardless of its cost.
Texas-based company Ocean Infinity reportedly claimed to have found scientific evidence of the plane's final resting place at the bottom of the southern Indian Ocean and is proposing an all-new no-find, no-fee search.
Highlights
- Ocean Infinity claims new evidence of MH370 in the Indian Ocean.
- Malaysia eager to finalize a 'no-find, no-fee' deal with Ocean Infinity.
- Ocean Infinity uses advanced tech for underwater exploration.
Malaysia’s Transport Minister Anthony Loke said during a commemoration event for flight MH370 on Sunday (March 3): “As I stand before you and make this promise, I will do everything possible to gain evidence, to sign a new contract with Ocean Infinity for the search to resume as soon as possible.”
Ocean Infinity specializes in underwater exploration and seabed mapping using advanced technology, such as autonomous underwater vehicles and unmanned surface vessels.
The Malaysian government’s position is consistent, Loke added, that it would consider a further search operation when new information and credible evidence is ascertained, MalayMail reported.
New evidence from Ocean Infinity renewed hope in the MH370 search, with officials ready to approve a new proposal
Image credits: Supian Ahmad/Getty Images
Loke continued: “To this end, I have instructed the Transport Ministry to invite Ocean Infinity to Malaysia to brief me on their latest ‘no-find, no-fee’ proposal.
“We are now waiting for [Ocean Infinity] to provide suitable dates, and I hope to meet them soon.”
The minister went on to express that he was hopeful that the families and friends of the victims would remain strong.
He said: “You have our deepest sympathies and will always be in our thoughts and prayers.
“More importantly, we will stand by you.”
Malaysia’s Transport Minister expressed hope for the MH370 families, awaiting a briefing from Ocean Infinity's proposal
Image credits: Jeffry Surianto
In a separate conversation from the commemoration event, Loke revealed that the Malaysian government was considering entering into a new contract with Ocean Infinity for the plane’s search.
A previous contract with Ocean Infinity ended in 2018, with Malaysia offering up to $70 million if the firm had found it.
The new contract should include a "no-find, no-fee" policy, which means that if Ocean Infinity does not find the plane, they will not charge a fee for their services.
However, if the plane is found, there will be financial implications for the Malaysian government. As a result, there needs to be approval from the Cabinet before proceeding with the proposal.
Flight MH370 vanished with hundreds aboard en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014
Image credits: AHeneen
“It is not that we are not committed to it. We are definitely committed to it, but we need the Cabinet to approve the proposal,” Loke explained.
He added: “But I’m very, very confident that the government of Malaysia and the Cabinet will approve such proposals.”
The minister reportedly stressed that the Malaysian government was prepared to meet with Ocean Infinity anytime, either physically or through a conference call.
He revealed: “There is no reluctance. As far as the Malaysian government is concerned, it is committed to that search.
“The search must go on.”
Ocean Infinity claimed to have found scientific evidence of the plane's final resting place at the bottom of the southern Indian Ocean
Image credits: National Geographic
Upon being asked about a timeline, Loke reportedly said the ministry was awaiting a reply from Ocean Infinity.
The proposal would subsequently need to be brought to the Cabinet for approval in terms of commitment to financial cost.
“But I don’t foresee that as a problem. Usually, within weeks, we can get the Cabinet to review the proposal,” the minister said, adding that cost is not an issue because if the plane can be found, the cost is for the government to bear, as per MalayMail.
Flight MH370 became one of the world’s most puzzling aviation mysteries when it vanished with hundreds aboard en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014, CNN reported.
The lost plane carried 227 passengers, including five young children, as well as 12 crew members
Image credits: National Geographic
Despite the launch of the largest aviation search in history, virtually nothing of the aircraft has since been found, according to the American broadcaster.
At the time of the tragedy, the pilot, Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah, sent a last radio call to Kuala Lumpur before leaving Malaysia, “Good Night Malaysian Three Seven Zero,” but he failed to check in with air traffic controllers in Ho Chi Minh City when the plane crossed into Vietnam’s airspace, the Associated Press (AP News) reported.
Minutes later, the plane’s transponder (a communication system that transmits the plane’s location to air traffic control) shut down, as per AP News.
Military radar saw the plane turn around to travel over the Andaman Sea before it vanished, and satellite data showed it continued to fly for hours, possibly until it ran out of fuel, according to AP News.
Most of those aboard were from China, but there were also people from other countries, including the United States and France
Image credits: National Geographic
Despite various theories proposed, including hijacking, oxygen deprivation, and power failure, no conclusive evidence has since been found.
The absence of distress signals, ransom demands, adverse weather conditions, or clear indications of technical malfunctions has fuelled the mystery.
While Malaysian safety investigators cleared all passengers and crew in a 2018 report, the possibility of "unlawful interference" was not entirely ruled out, leaving the fate of the flight unresolved.
The lost plane reportedly carried 227 passengers, including five young children, as well as 12 crew members. Most of those aboard were from China, but there were also people from other countries, including the United States, Indonesia, France, and Russia, AP News reported.
The passengers further included two young Iranian men using stolen passports to seek a new life in Europe; a group of Chinese calligraphy artists returning from an exhibition of their work; 20 employees of U.S. tech firm Freescale Semiconductor; a stunt double for actor Jet Li; families with young children; and a Malaysian couple on a long-delayed honeymoon, AP New reported.
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