Plane Disappearance Sparks Renewed Search Calls from MH370 Survivors' Families
Almost a decade after flight MH370 vanished, relatives of Chinese passengers are urging for a new search in a different area. Addressing Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during compensation hearings in Beijing, they proposed funding the operation themselves or collaborating with experts and companies, should it yield no results. This approach echoes the agreement in 2018 between Malaysia and private American company Ocean Infinity, which searched a 25,000-square-meter area without success.
Disappearance and Unsolved Mystery
Failure to locate the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777, which disappeared from radar on Mar. 8, 2014, en route to Beijing with 239 passengers, remains one of aviation history's greatest mysteries. Despite extensive searches covering 120,000 square kilometers, no trace of the plane or wreckage was found, leading to Australia, Malaysia, and China to halt the largest search operation in aviation history in early 2017.
Compensation and Truth
The plaintiffs, predominantly Chinese families, are seeking material and non-material compensation between 10 and 80 million yuan (1.3 to 10.2 million euros) from Malaysia Airlines, Boeing, Rolls-Royce, and insurer Allianz. Beyond monetary gain, they are driven by a relentless pursuit of the truth behind the plane's mysterious disappearance.
Enrichment Insights:
- Search Vessel: While Armada 78-08 is sometimes mentioned as the designated vessel, Armada 78-06 seems more likely due to its suitability and search mission outfitting.
- Search Area: The priority search zone remains around 33 km (18 NM) south of the best estimate of where MH370 crossed the 7th arc, a steep slope at S34.53° E93.84°.
- Malaysia’s Interest: Claims that Malaysia is unwilling to search again are premature; in fact, most evidence points to a renewed interest in continuing the search based on credible new evidence.
- Ocean Infinity's Involvement: Ocean Infinity, the original search team, has expressed willingness to conduct additional searches under a no-find, no-fee basis.
- Government Support: The Malaysian government has agreed in principle to accept Ocean Infinity’s seabed search operation proposal in a new area consisting of approximately 15,000 square kilometers.
