Malaysia Extends Search for MH370 Wreckage

Malaysia has extended its contract with search company Ocean Infinity by one year, allowing the underwater search for missing Flight MH370 to continue. The new term will run from July 1 this year to June 30, 2027.

The Boeing 777, carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew members, disappeared in 2014 while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Previous search efforts in the southern Indian Ocean have failed to locate the main wreckage.

Ocean Infinity searched for the aircraft until 2018 and signed a new agreement last year to survey an area of 15,000 square kilometers. The company will receive the $70m reward only if the search is successful.

Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the 12-month extension will give Ocean Infinity enough time to complete the remaining search area of nearly 7,430 square kilometers.

The decision also takes into account the company’s other contractual obligations, which will require it to temporarily move its main search assets elsewhere between November 2026 and April 2027.

(reuters, max)