'What happened to our loved ones?': Why families of MH370 crash victims are calling for a new search

‘What happened to our loved ones?’: Why families of MH370 crash victims are calling for a new search

On Monday, as a Beijing court commenced hearings on a new compensation appeal, relatives of the Chinese passengers lost in the Malaysia Airlines MH370 disaster called for a renewed investigation. The ill-fated flight, carrying 239 people, most of whom were Chinese, mysteriously vanished on March 8, 2014, while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

Over 40 families have brought legal action against several parties including Malaysia Airlines, Boeing, Rolls Royce, and Allianz insurance group, as reported by CCTV. These lawsuits primarily seek compensation and aim to uncover the truth about the flight’s disappearance, as stated by lawyer Zhang Qihuai.

Despite extensive searches in a vast 120,000-square kilometer area of the Indian Ocean, the plane remains largely untraced, with only a few debris pieces found. The massive Australian-led search operation was halted in January 2017.

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In a poignant open letter to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the families urged for a new search on a “No find, No fee” basis, expressing their willingness to invest their own resources or collaborate with capable entities.

Outside the court, emotional scenes unfolded as relatives shared stories of their missing loved ones, some displaying messages advocating for a renewed search and a fair investigation. Bao Lanfang, who lost several family members in the tragedy, emphasized her quest for the truth over monetary compensation, pleading for the resumption of the search and investigation.

Jiang Hui, whose mother was on flight MH370, said the opening of the hearing was “very comforting, and it is a turning point”.

“The survival of the relatives during these 10 years, the deterioration of their living conditions… This really makes us very sad. So I hope that the legal relief can be realised as soon as possible. It is not difficult,” he told AFP.

“Ten years have really been unbearable for us,” added Jiang.

Bao Lanfang, who lost her son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter in the disaster, said: “Personally, I do not care about the monetary compensation.” “What I want is that Malaysia Airlines gives me the truth. What happened to our loved ones? “What I want now is for them to resume the search and the investigation,” the 71-year-old told the media.

The Malaysian transport ministry and Malaysia Airlines have not commented on the ongoing hearings. The extent of the Chinese court’s jurisdiction over the international defendants in enforcing compensation claims remains uncertain.

The hearing, not listed on the court’s public website, was announced by Jiang on social media, with proceedings expected to continue until mid-December.

Claims for civil compensation range from 10 million yuan ($1.4 million) to 80 million yuan ($11.2 million) per family, with additional moral damages sought between 30 million yuan ($4.2 million) and 40 million yuan ($5.6 million), according to CCTV. Over 110 other passengers’ families have already settled with the defendants, receiving compensation between 2.5 million and 3 million yuan.

Initially, few families accepted the offer, but the number increased over time, particularly during the economic hardships brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. Currently, about 40 families have not settled, refusing to absolve the airline and the Malaysian government of responsibility.

A private search initiated by a US exploration firm in 2018 ended unsuccessfully after months of seabed exploration. The plane’s disappearance has spawned numerous theories, including speculation about the pilot’s actions. A 2018 report failed to provide definitive conclusions, leaving families frustrated and seeking closure.

China says it values follow-up to MH370 incident

China values the follow-up to the incident of MH370 and hopes all sides maintain close communication and properly handle this issue, the foreign ministry said on Monday.

Spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the comments after a media report of a Chinese court holding the first hearing of a liability lawsuit filed by relatives of passengers on MH370.

(With inputs from agencies)

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