Search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 that disappeared 10 years ago resumes

The Malaysian government agreed to resume the search for the aircraft on Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which mysteriously disappeared 10 years ago, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said.

MH370, a Boeing 777 plane with 227 passengers and 12 crew members, disappeared en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014, becoming one of the greatest mysteries of world aviation.

Despite search operations in the Indian Ocean, considered the most important in the history of aeronautics, the plane was never found.

"The proposal for a search operation by Ocean Infinity American exploration company based in Texas is solid and deserves to be taken into account," Loke told reporters.

The company will receive $70 million if the remains found are substantial, Loke added, clarifying that his ministry will end negotiations with Ocean Infinity in early 2025.

The marine robotics firm will continue the seabed search operation at a new 5,800-square-mile site in the Indian Ocean next year.

"This decision reflects the government's commitment to continue the search operation and provide a closure for the families of the MH370 passengers," he added.

The Boeing 777 plane disappeared from the radar shortly after taking off on March 8, 2014. Satellite data showed that the plane deviated from its flight route to head over the southern Indian Ocean, where it is believed to have crashed.

An expensive multinational search failed to find any clues, although remains reached the east coast of Africa and the islands of the Indian Ocean. A private search in 2018 by Ocean Infinity was also unsuccessful.