Key Facts
- ✓ Malaysia has resumed the search for MH370, nearly 12 years after it vanished.
- ✓ The search is being led by marine robotics company Ocean Infinity.
- ✓ The operation is scheduled to last for 55 days in the southern Indian Ocean.
- ✓ The Malaysian government has offered $70 million if the plane is found.
Quick Summary
Malaysia has officially resumed the search for MH370, the Boeing 777 that disappeared in 2014. The transport ministry confirmed that Ocean Infinity was enlisted to lead the operation, which recommenced on December 30. This marks a renewed effort to locate the aircraft nearly 12 years after it vanished.
The search is planned for a duration of 55 days and will focus on a specific region in the southern Indian Ocean. The Malaysian government views this as a critical step in providing closure to the families of the 239 people on board. The resumption follows previous delays caused by weather conditions earlier in the year.
Resumption of Operations
Malaysia's transport ministry has confirmed that the search for MH370 has restarted. The announcement was made in a release on December 3, setting the start date for December 30. This action comes nearly 12 years after the Boeing 777 disappeared on March 8, 2014.
The Malaysian government has enlisted the help of Ocean Infinity, a marine robotics company based in the US and UK. This company previously conducted search operations for the missing aircraft in 2018. They will once again take charge of the efforts to locate the plane.
The transport ministry stated that the search will be carried out in a targeted area. This specific location lies in the southern Indian Ocean and is assessed to have the highest probability of locating the aircraft. The ministry emphasized that this development underscores the government's commitment to providing closure to the affected families.
"Ocean Infinity has confirmed with the Government of Malaysia that it will recommence seabed search operations for a total of 55 days, to be conducted intermittently."
— Malaysia's transport ministry
Search Details and Timeline
The current search operation is scheduled to last for a total of 55 days. According to the transport ministry release, Ocean Infinity has confirmed that these seabed search operations will be conducted intermittently. The company is operating under a specific financial agreement with the Malaysian government.
Last December, the government promised to pay Ocean Infinity $70 million if the company successfully finds the plane. The path to this resumption involved several steps throughout the year. In February, Transport Minister Anthony Loke informed the press that the search would start again.
However, the plans faced a setback in April. Minister Loke announced that the search was suspended due to poor weather conditions. He indicated at the time that operations would only restart at the end of the year. The current resumption aligns with that revised timeline.
Historical Context of the Disappearance
The disappearance of MH370 remains one of the greatest mysteries in aviation history. The Boeing 777 vanished on March 8, 2014, while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. There were 239 passengers and crew members on board the flight.
Following the initial disappearance, extensive search operations continued for over four years. These efforts covered vast areas of the southern Indian Ocean but failed to yield definitive results. The search was eventually scaled back, leaving the fate of the aircraft unknown.
Ocean Infinity first entered the picture in 2018, leading a search mission that was ultimately discontinued after the aircraft could not be located. The renewed search represents the most significant effort in years to solve the mystery of what happened to the flight.
"The latest development underscores the Government of Malaysia's commitment in providing closure to the families affected by this tragedy."
— Malaysia's transport ministry




