Twelve Years On, Search for MH370 Ends Again, Leaving Families in Limbo
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – The latest search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 concluded in January without locating the aircraft, renewing anguish for families of the 239 passengers and crew who disappeared twelve years ago. The Boeing 777 vanished on March 8, 2014, while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, becoming one of aviation’s most enduring mysteries.
The search, conducted by the exploration firm Ocean Infinity, covered approximately 15,000 square kilometers, according to a statement from Malaysia’s transport ministry. Despite deploying autonomous underwater drones capable of reaching depths of 6,000 meters (20,000 feet), no wreckage was found. This follows previous unsuccessful searches, including a three-year effort by Australia ending in January 2017, and a prior attempt by Ocean Infinity in 2018.
The disappearance sparked the largest search in aviation history, yet the aircraft, passengers, and flight recorders remain missing. Two-thirds of those on board were Chinese nationals, with the remainder including Malaysians, Indonesians, Australians, and citizens of India, the United States, the Netherlands, and France.
On the twelfth anniversary of the flight’s disappearance, families of the Chinese passengers voiced their frustration over a perceived lack of communication regarding the recent search efforts. In an open letter addressed to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, they acknowledged the difficulties involved but lamented the absence of briefings since January 15th.
“Over the past two months, we have repeatedly contacted Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport… yet have received no response,” the letter stated.
Beyond the lack of information, the families also expressed a need for greater emotional support. “For 12 years, we have received virtually no genuine psychological support,” they wrote, adding, “We ask for little: only to be seen, to be heard, and to be treated as individuals with emotions and dignity.”
The families are scheduled to meet with China’s foreign ministry on Monday and plan to deliver their letter to the Malaysian embassy in Beijing.
The disappearance of MH370 continues to fuel speculation and numerous theories, but without concrete evidence, the fate of those on board remains unknown. The ongoing lack of answers underscores the profound impact of this tragedy on the families and the aviation community.
(This story is based on material from NDTV and other sources.)