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Search for MH370 wreckage to restart after 11 years
Malaysian officials confirmed Wednesday that a new effort to locate the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 will begin on 30 December, nearly 12 years after the plane vanished with 239 passengers and crew.
Timeline of the search
The upcoming 55-day operation follows an earlier attempt that launched in March but was halted due to severe weather. The transport ministry described the decision as a demonstration of Malaysia's dedication to bringing closure to the victims' families.
Flight details and disappearance
The Boeing 777 disappeared on 8 March 2014 while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Air traffic control lost contact with the aircraft less than an hour after takeoff, and radar data later revealed it had veered off its planned route. The incident triggered the most extensive search in aviation history.
Previous search efforts
A multinational operation involving 60 vessels and 50 aircraft from 26 countries concluded in 2017 without success. Ocean Infinity, the firm leading the current search, also conducted a three-month expedition in 2018 under similar terms.
Financial terms and conditions
The latest search is being conducted on a "no find, no fee" basis, with Ocean Infinity set to receive $70 million (£56 million) only if the wreckage is located, according to Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook.
Unanswered questions and theories
A 2018 investigation determined that the plane's controls were likely manually altered to divert it from its course, though no definitive explanation was provided. Investigators emphasized that conclusive answers hinge on recovering the wreckage.
The prolonged uncertainty has fueled numerous conspiracy theories, including claims of deliberate sabotage by the pilot or a potential hijacking. Families of those on board have repeatedly urged authorities to renew the search, citing the lack of closure.
What comes next
The renewed search will commence on 30 December, with officials expressing hope that advanced technology may finally resolve one of aviation's most enduring mysteries.
