The search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 will resume later this month, more than a decade after the plane vanished in one of aviation's greatest mysteries. Malaysia's transport ministry confirmed on Wednesday that marine robotics company Ocean Infinity will restart seabed searches from 30 December, operating intermittently over a 55-day period.
The new search will target areas believed to have the highest likelihood of finding the missing aircraft, though exact locations have not been disclosed. The operation follows a 'no-find, no-fee' contract agreed last year, under which Ocean Infinity will be paid $70m only if wreckage is discovered.
Flight MH370 disappeared on 8 March 2014 while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 12 Malaysian crew and 227 passengers, mostly Chinese citizens. Despite extensive multinational and private efforts, no large wreckage or bodies have been found, though several pieces of debris have washed up, including a wing part confirmed from the plane in 2015.
Relatives of those onboard have welcomed the renewed search. Danica Weeks, whose husband Paul was a passenger, said she was 'incredibly grateful and relieved' that the Malaysian government had committed to continuing the search. Jiang Hui, whose mother was on the plane, expressed hope that the search would have no fixed period in future.
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade supported the renewed search, hoping it would bring closure to families. China's foreign ministry also noted the reports and appreciated Malaysia's efforts. The most recent search activity in the southern Indian Ocean was suspended in April due to poor weather conditions.
