Malaysia greenlights fresh search for missing MH370 in Indian Ocean
What's the story
Malaysia's government has given its formal approval to a re-energized hunt for the elusive wreckage of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.
The mission will be carried out by Texas-based marine robotics company, Ocean Infinity.
CEO Oliver Plunkett confirmed they have upgraded their technology since the last attempt in 2018, and also narrowed down the search area to where they believe the wreckage is most likely located.
Agreement details
Contract terms and search area
The Malaysian government has agreed to a "no-find, no-fee" contract with Ocean Infinity; it will be paid $70 million only if it finds the wreckage, and the contract will be signed soon.
The seabed search will cover a new area of 15,000 sq km in the southern Indian Ocean.
The final approval comes three months after Malaysia first approved plans for a new search attempt.
Search history
Previous search efforts and current plans
The Boeing 777 vanished from radar on March 8, 2014, while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
Despite a widespread multinational search operation and a 2018 private search by Ocean Infinity, the main wreckage has not been discovered.
Some debris was found along the east African coast and Indian Ocean islands, but these have not led to the main wreckage.
Official statement
Government's commitment to the search operation
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said his ministry will soon sign a contract with Ocean Infinity, though terms of the contract haven't been revealed yet.
The company has already sent a search vessel to the specified area and proposed that January-April would be an ideal time for the operation.
"The government is committed to continuing the search operation and providing closure for the families of flight MH370 passengers," Loke said in a statement.