Malaysia makes huge announcement over missing flight MH370 after new bombshell

Malaysian authorities have sparked renewed hope with the bombshell announcement that the hunt for the lost flight MH370 is set to go on, more than 10 years after the plane vanished.

Transport minister Anthony Loke revealed plans to comb a fresh area in the southern Indian Ocean after discussions with survey company Ocean Infinity, which had already undertaken an expedition to locate the ill-fated jet earlier this year, proposing a hefty US$70 million (€67 million) bounty should it turn up significant new debris.

In a poignant plea, Loke declared that the Malaysian administration bears a "responsibility and obligation" to those mourning family members ever since the flight dropped off the radar over the ocean on March 8, 2014. He conveyed his wish to "give closure" to the anguished relatives still seeking answers about the tragedy.

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"Our responsibility and obligation and commitment is to the next of kin. We hope this time will be positive, that the wreckage will be found and give closure to the families," he articulated. The Malay Mail noted that the government has given the nod "in principle" to the newly tabled proposal from Ocean Infinity, setting the stage for a search spanning 15,000km.

The official announced after a cabinet meeting that the company tasked with the search, Ocean Infinity, wouldn't see a penny unless they found MH370, as the hunt is based on a "no-find-no-fee principle". He elaborated: "The Cabinet has agreed in principle to accept Ocean Infinity's proposal to resume the search for MH370's wreckage in a new search area estimated at 15,000km (9,320 miles) per square based on the no-find-no-fee principle. This means the government will not have to pay unless the wreckage is found," reports the Mirror.

The ill-fated Malaysian Airlines flight took off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport bound for Beijing Capital International Airport on March 8 and was tragically lost over the Indian Ocean, with all 239 people on board - 227 passengers and 12 crew members - presumed dead.

Over the years, debris believed to be from the vanished plane has been discovered, including confirmed pieces of MH370 along the African coast and some Indian Ocean islands. Families of those on board and other stakeholders have continued their quest for answers, urging those responsible for the aircraft's creation and operation to take action.

Families of the Chinese passengers, approximately 150 of whom were on the flight, are seeking compensation from Boeing, the plane's manufacturer, Rolls-Royce, the engine maker, the Allianz insurance group and Malaysia Airlines itself, among others. The Malaysian government hired robotics firm Ocean Infinity in 2018 to search for significant pieces of wreckage, but it was unsuccessful on two attempts.

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