The Malaysian government has announced plans to resume the search for the Malaysia Airlines MH370 aircraft, which mysteriously disappeared ten years ago. Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook stated that the search for the Boeing 777 aircraft would involve a United States marine exploration company.
"This is the greatest aviation mystery in the world. We must solve this mystery," said Fook during a commemoration ceremony organized by the families of the victims of the MH370 disappearance.
The American company set to be involved in the search is Ocean Infinity, the same company that took over the MH370 search operations in 2018. Fook has instructed the Malaysian Ministry of Transport to invite Ocean Infinity to provide guidance.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has welcomed the plan to search for the missing aircraft.
"If there is strong evidence that needs to be reopened, we will be happy to reopen it," said Anwar, as quoted by AFP on Monday (4/3).
"I think it's not a technical issue. It's a matter that affects people's lives, and whatever needs to be done should be done," he added.
The MH370 aircraft disappeared from radar less than 40 minutes after taking off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 8, 2014. The plane, carrying 239 passengers, was en route to Beijing.
According to radar and satellite communication, the MH370 aircraft is believed to have deviated from its flight path and crashed into the southern Indian Ocean.
This suspicion triggered an extensive international search led by Australia.
The search for the Boeing 777 aircraft took three years and covered up to 120,000 square kilometers of water. In January 2017, the search mission was finally suspended without any significant findings.
One year later, in January 2018, Ocean Infinity took over the search operation and combed 112,000 square kilometers of sea. However, the company did not make any significant discoveries until their contract expired in May.