Search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 at Deep Sea to Continue on Dec. 30

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia Malaysian authorities announced on Wednesday that the underwater search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 will recommence on December 30, reigniting hopes of discovering the aircraft that vanished more than ten years ago.

The Boeing 777 disappeared from radar shortly after departing Kuala Lumpur on March 8, 2014, bound for Beijing, carrying 239 passengers and crew, predominantly Chinese citizens. Satellite tracking indicated that the plane veered off its planned route and headed south toward the remote southern Indian Ocean, where it is presumed to have gone down.

According to the transport ministry, the U.S.-based marine robotics company Ocean Infinity will conduct intermittent search operations starting December 30 for a total of 55 days in carefully selected zones with the highest probability of locating the missing jet.

The ministry emphasized that this move reflects Malaysias ongoing commitment to providing closure for the families impacted by the tragedy.

Earlier this year, Malaysia approved a no-find, no-fee agreement with Ocean Infinity to resume the seabed search at a new site covering 15,000 square kilometers (5,800 square miles). Under the contract, the company will receive $70 million only if the aircraft wreckage is found.

The previous search was suspended in April due to adverse weather conditions. Prior multinational efforts failed to recover significant evidence, although some debris was found along the eastern African coast and islands in the Indian Ocean. A private operation in 2018 by Ocean Infinity also did not yield results.

Author: Sophia Brooks