The Malaysian government agrees in principle to another search for the remains of MH370
The Malaysian government has agreed in principle to accept a second “not found, no fee” offer from a US company to renew the search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which is believed to have crashed in the southern Indian Ocean more than 10 years ago. Minister Anthony Locke said on Friday.
Loke said cabinet ministers had given the nod at a meeting last week for Texas-based marine robotics firm Ocean Infinity to continue a seabed search operation in a new 15,000 square kilometer area of ​​ocean next year.
“The proposed new search zone identified by Ocean Infinity is based on the latest information and data analysis conducted by experts and researchers. The company’s proposal is valid,” he said in a statement.
On March 8, 2014, a Boeing 777 flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Beijing, carrying 239 people, mostly Chinese nationals, disappeared from radar shortly after takeoff. Two Canadian citizens died as a result of the accident.
French authorities are reluctant to confirm the link, saying only that it is highly probable
Satellite data indicates that the plane veered off its flight path into the southern Indian Ocean, where it is believed to have crashed. An expensive multinational search has turned up no clues, although wreckage has washed ashore on the east coast of Africa and on islands in the Indian Ocean.
A private search by Ocean Infinity in 2018 also turned up nothing.
The company says the technology has improved since the last search
Under the new contract, Ocean Infinity will receive $70 million, but only if significant damage is found, Loke said.
According to him, his ministry will conclude negotiations with Ocean Infinity at the beginning of 2025.
The firm said January to April is the best time to search.
“This decision reflects the government’s commitment to continue the search operation and provide closure for the families of MH370 passengers,” he added.
Earlier this year, Ocean Infinity CEO Oliver Punkett said the company has been improving its technology since 2018. He said the firm worked with multiple experts to analyze the data and narrow down the search area to the most likely site.
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