The Hunt for Missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 Resumes in the Indian Ocean

A ship has been deployed to the Indian Ocean search zone to resume the hunt for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, bringing renewed hope of solving one of aviation’s greatest mysteries. The Boeing 777 disappeared on March 8, 2014, while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 227 passengers and 12 crew members on board.

In December, Malaysia agreed to restart the search for the missing plane after previous attempts had failed. Despite the deployment of the ship to the search zone, Malaysia has not yet finalized the contract to search the seabed for wreckage, leading to uncertainty about the actual commencement of the search.

U.S. exploration firm Ocean Infinity, which conducted the last search for MH370 in 2018, has not provided any information regarding the current search operation. However, Malaysia’s Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed that the company has started mobilizing its ships to the designated area, signaling their readiness to begin the search.

While Malaysia has not officially signed the contract with Ocean Infinity, Loke expressed optimism about the company’s proactive approach. He stated that the search would have a specific timeframe and emphasized the need to finalize the contract details before commencing the search.

Refinitiv ship tracking data shows that Ocean Infinity’s ship, Armada 78 06, has started tracking in the Southern Indian Ocean, approximately 2,000 km off Australia’s west coast. The proposed search operation will expand the previous search area by 15,000 sq km over an 18-month period, with the best window for search activities identified between January and April.

Ocean Infinity is confident about the credibility of the current search area, believing it to be a critical zone that was previously overlooked. The company’s determination to uncover the truth behind MH370’s disappearance is evident in their efforts to resume the search.

The Decade-Long Hunt for MH370

Since 2018, Malaysia has engaged in multiple search attempts with Ocean Infinity in the southern Indian Ocean, all of which were unsuccessful. Prior to that, Australia, China, and Malaysia conducted an extensive underwater search over 120,000 sq km based on satellite data.

The last transmission from MH370 occurred shortly after takeoff, leading to a series of mysterious events that saw the plane deviate from its flight path and disappear from radar. Debris believed to be from the aircraft has been found along the coast of Africa and in the Indian Ocean, providing crucial but inconclusive evidence.

Despite extensive investigations and reports suggesting deliberate manipulation of the aircraft’s controls, the ultimate fate of MH370 remains unknown. The search for answers continues as victims’ families seek compensation and closure regarding the tragic incident.

While the search for MH370 enters a new phase in the Indian Ocean, the world waits in anticipation for any breakthrough that could finally unravel the mystery of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370.

Sources: MarineLink