Relatives of passengers aboard a Malaysia Airlines plane that vanished without a trace a decade ago are advocating for a renewed search effort, as they continue to grapple with grief and the quest for closure. Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, a Boeing 777 carrying 239 individuals, disappeared from radar screens on March 8, 2014, while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

Approximately 500 relatives and their supporters convened at a shopping center near Kuala Lumpur for a "remembrance day" on Sunday, with many visibly overwhelmed by sorrow. They commemorated the event by lighting 239 candles, each representing a passenger lost on the ill-fated flight. Notably, some attendees traveled from China, home to nearly two-thirds of the plane's passengers.

Grace Nathan, a 36-year-old Malaysian lawyer whose mother was among the passengers, described the past decade as an incessant emotional rollercoaster. She urged the Malaysian government to initiate a fresh search, emphasizing that MH370 remains an unresolved issue. Similarly, Liu Shuang Fong, 67, from China's Hebei province, demanded justice for her 28-year-old son, expressing her determination for the search to continue.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke assured reporters of Malaysia's commitment to locating the plane, asserting that cost would not hinder their efforts. He disclosed plans to meet with representatives from Ocean Infinity, a Texas-based marine exploration company that previously conducted an unsuccessful search. The minister expressed optimism about arranging a new operation with the firm.

Ocean Infinity's search in 2018 concluded without success after months of scouring the seabed. A previous search led by Australia covered a vast area in the Indian Ocean but yielded minimal evidence, resulting in suspension in 2017. The disappearance of MH370 has spurred numerous theories, ranging from plausible to far-fetched, including speculation about the pilot's alleged misconduct.

The final report on the tragedy, released in 2018, highlighted shortcomings in air traffic control and noted manual alterations to the plane's course. Despite these findings, the fate of MH370 remains one of aviation's most perplexing mysteries, leaving families of the victims yearning for answers.

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