In a bid to seek closure for the families of the 239 people who went missing aboard Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 a decade ago, Malaysian Transportation Minister Anthony Loke announced that the government is open to launching a new search operation if credible evidence arises. This development comes after an American company recently submitted a proposal to the government, reigniting hope for finally solving one of aviation's most enduring mysteries.

On March 8, 2014, the Boeing 777 aircraft suddenly vanished from radar while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. The last communication from the plane occurred 38 minutes after takeoff over the South China Sea. Military radar detected the aircraft deviating from its intended path, heading westward, before the signal was lost. It is believed that the plane crashed into the Indian Ocean within Australia's search and rescue area.

This incident sparked a massive search operation involving 30 countries that spanned more than 23,000 square miles of ocean. However, despite the combined efforts of Malaysian, Australian, and Chinese authorities, the plane's wreckage has yet to be found. In January 2015, Malaysian officials officially declared the disappearance of Flight 370 an accident, presuming all passengers and crew onboard to be deceased, and enabling the airline to provide settlements to the affected families.

Throughout the search, several pieces of debris were discovered in various countries, including Réunion, Mauritius, South Africa, Tanzania, and Mozambique. However, these findings did not lead to conclusive answers about the fate of the aircraft. In May, the head of Australia's Transport Safety Bureau acknowledged the diminishing possibility of locating the missing plane.

Previous efforts to find the wreckage in the Indian Ocean concluded without success in January 2017. The Australian-led operation, supported by Malaysia and China, made the difficult decision to call off the search, acknowledging the significant challenges involved. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau stated that determining the reason behind the plane's disappearance is impossible without locating the aircraft itself.

In January of this year, Texas-based company Ocean Infinity took on a new search mission, covering 43,000 square miles of ocean based on drift analysis of the debris. However, this attempt also fell short of success, despite deploying unmanned vehicles equipped with underwater sonar for over three months. Nevertheless, Ocean Infinity's CEO, Oliver Plunkett, expressed optimism about their enhanced ocean search capabilities through the use of robotics and new technology.

As the 10th anniversary of the disappearance approaches, families of the missing passengers continue to demand answers and urge authorities to resume the search. Malaysian Transportation Minister Anthony Loke voiced his commitment to support a new search if credible evidence emerges, expressing his willingness to invite Ocean Infinity for further discussion.

While the mystery surrounding the fate of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 might not be entirely solved, a renewed search effort may provide closure to the grieving families who have endured a decade of uncertainty and loss.