MH370 Families Ask Malaysia to Continue Ocean Search After 12 Years

The search for MH370 has covered over 7,500 square kilometers but found no trace of the plane, 12 years after it vanished.
By Newsroom | Aviation, Missing Persons |

KUALA LUMPUR – A decade and two years have passed since Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 vanished, yet the plea from families for its continued search echoes. A deep-sea operation, led by the exploration firm Ocean Infinity, has thus far yielded no conclusive findings regarding the aircraft's whereabouts. This lack of concrete evidence persists despite a renewed effort in the southern Indian Ocean.

The Malaysian government has been urged by the families of the 239 people aboard the vanished plane to extend the contract with Ocean Infinity. Furthermore, they advocate for similar contractual arrangements to be made available to other exploration companies interested in the search.

The Malaysia’s Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) stated that the recent search, spanning 28 days and covering approximately 7,571 square kilometers of the seabed, has not produced any results. The bureau has itself recommended that any requests for Ocean Infinity's contract extension be granted, and that the terms be opened to other firms.

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Families of MH370 victims call for search extension, 12 years after Malaysia Airlines jet vanished - 1

Weather disruptions reportedly hampered the search operations at various points. Satellite data, pieced together from various sources, indicates that the plane deviated from its intended flight path, veering south into the remote southern Indian Ocean, where it is presumed to have crashed.

Voice 370, a group representing some of the affected families, has been a vocal proponent for the continuation of the search, emphasizing the need for answers and closure.

Background

Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 disappeared on March 8, 2014, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 individuals on board. Despite extensive and costly search efforts in the southern Indian Ocean, the main wreckage of the Boeing 777 aircraft has never been located. This has left families in a prolonged state of uncertainty and grief, fueling their persistent calls for further investigation and discovery.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are families asking Malaysia to continue the MH370 search?
Families want answers and closure 12 years after the plane disappeared and are urging the government to extend the search contract with Ocean Infinity.
Q: What did the latest MH370 search operation find?
The recent 28-day search by Ocean Infinity in the southern Indian Ocean covered over 7,500 square kilometers but found no evidence of the missing aircraft.
Q: What is the Malaysian government's stance on the MH370 search?
The Malaysian Air Accident Investigation Bureau recommended granting requests for Ocean Infinity's contract extension and opening terms to other search firms.
Q: When did MH370 disappear?
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 vanished on March 8, 2014, with 239 people on board while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
Q: Where is MH370 believed to have crashed?
Satellite data suggests the plane went off course and likely crashed in the southern Indian Ocean, but the main wreckage has never been found.