As the world approaches the 10th anniversary of the mysterious disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, the grief-stricken relatives of Chinese passengers are renewing their call for a fresh investigation. On Monday, a Beijing court commenced hearings on their appeal for compensation, reigniting the quest for answers surrounding the vanishing of the plane on March 8, 2014, carrying 239 people, predominantly Chinese citizens.
Over 40 families have initiated lawsuits against Malaysia Airlines, Boeing, Rolls Royce, and the Allianz insurance group, with a primary focus on both financial compensation and the pursuit of truth behind the flight’s inexplicable disappearance, according to statements from Zhang Qihuai, a lawyer cited by state broadcaster CCTV.
Despite an exhaustive Australian-led search operation in the Indian Ocean, spanning 120,000 square kilometers, minimal traces of the aircraft were discovered, leading to the suspension of the largest aviation search in history in January 2017.
In an open letter addressed to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, released on Monday, the grieving families appealed for a new search under a “No find, No fee” arrangement. The letter expressed their willingness to invest personal funds or collaborate with capable individuals and companies to resume the search.
Outside the court, emotional relatives, some holding signs reading “restart the search” and “open, fair, impartial,” shared poignant stories of their lost loved ones. Bao Lanfang, who lost multiple family members in the tragedy, emphasized a quest for truth over monetary compensation, urging Malaysia Airlines to resume the search and investigation.
Both Malaysia’s transport ministry and Malaysia Airlines declined to comment on the ongoing hearings, while China’s foreign ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin, emphasized Beijing’s commitment to the follow-up work on MH370 and called for continued communication among all parties involved.
The court proceedings, seeking civil compensation ranging from 10 million yuan ($1.4 million) to 80 million yuan ($11.2 million) and moral damages between 30 million yuan ($4.2 million) and 40 million yuan ($5.6 million), are yet to clarify the extent of the Chinese court’s jurisdiction over the claims.
While over 110 families have reportedly reached settlements with the defendants, receiving compensation between 2.5 million and 3 million yuan, some families continue to pursue legal relief. Jiang Hui, whose mother was on MH370, described the hearing as a comforting turning point and expressed hope for swift legal resolution after an unbearable decade.
The unsolved mystery of MH370, shrouded in various theories, remains a poignant chapter in aviation history. Despite a private search by a US exploration firm in 2018 yielding no results, the families’ determination for answers and closure persists. Theories surrounding the disappearance include speculation about the pilot going rogue, though official reports in 2018 pointed to air traffic control failings without providing conclusive findings, leaving grieving relatives frustrated and dissatisfied. The Beijing court hearings are expected to continue until mid-December, as families anxiously await potential breakthroughs in their decade-long quest for closure.