After years of uncertainty, the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 has resumed, providing hope to the families of the 239 missing passengers and crew. On February 27, 2024, Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed the participation of the ocean exploration company Ocean Infinity, which has deployed its survey vessel, Armada 78 06, to the southern Indian Ocean, approximately 2,000 kilometers off Australia’s west coast. This area was previously overlooked during earlier searches.
Loke stated, "Ocean Infinity is very confident this search area is more reliable… This is the area they missed before,” as reported by Reuters. The search, which began on Sunday, February 25, marks the resumption of efforts to locate the aircraft, which vanished on March 8, 2014, during its flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
The confirmation of the search began with the Malaysian government having reached out to Ocean Infinity, indicating its principle agreement to continue the search under "no find, no fee" terms. This means Ocean Infinity will only receive $70 million if the wreckage is found. Loke emphasized the importance of finalizing the contract, stating, "This is something we need to complete before signing." Although the contract is still pending, his enthusiasm for Ocean Infinity's proactive approach was evident.
With multiple wreckage pieces already located on the shores of Tanzania and Mozambique, the fate of the aircraft remains one of aviation's greatest mysteries, with theories ranging from technical failures, pilot intervention, to even potential hijacking. Previous large-scale searches conducted by Australia between 2014 and 2017 focused on 120,000 square kilometers of ocean floor, yet the efforts yielded no results. The search conducted by Ocean Infinity back in 2018 was similarly fruitless.
Families of the victims have continually expressed the hope for answers and closure. Grace Nathan, who lost her mother on MH370, told AFP, "We are relieved and happy to see the search being resumed after such a long break." Meanwhile, Jaquita Gonzales, the wife of flight supervisor Patrick Gomes, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for closure for her family.
Both families and officials are eager for the search to yield conclusive results, as the ten-year anniversary of the disappearance approaches on March 8, 2024. On this date, the Australian government suggested to Malaysia the possibility of conducting another search operation, reflecting on the passage of time and growing urgency to resolve this enduring mystery.
The commitment from Ocean Infinity reinforces the collaboration between Malaysian authorities and external entities to keep the pursuit alive, demonstrating significant dedication to the cause. Loke mentioned the anticipation surrounding the completion of the contract and the cooperative spirit involved, highlighting the emotional toll faced by relatives awaiting news.
The continued search is not merely about recovering wreckage; it constitutes the hopes and longings of family members who have endured nearly a decade of mystery and speculation surrounding the fate of their loved ones. The operational focus will be on exploring approximately 15,000 square kilometers of the Indian Ocean, which the company believes may hold the answers to the plane's disappearance.
While the specifics surrounding the disappearance of MH370 may never be fully resolved, the refreshed efforts underline humanity’s persistent quest for answers—a quest not just of discovery, but of love, loss, and closure for all those affected.