An expert review into the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 and its 239 passengers has uncovered a new and much smaller area where it is strongly believed the plane will finally be found.
The flight disappeared on its way from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in 2014 sparking a two-and-a-half year search of more than 120,000 square kilometres of the Indian Ocean.
Experts working with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) argue new evidence points to just a 25,000 square kilometre area right beside the original search area.
The report is a result of a first principles review meeting held in Canberra last month, which was attended by experts from around the globe.
“There is a high degree of confidence that the previously identified underwater area searched to date does not contain the missing aircraft,” the report states.
“Given the elimination of this area, the experts identified an area of approximately 25,000 square kilometres as the area with the highest probability of containing the wreckage of the aircraft.
“The experts concluded that, if this area were to be searched, prospective areas for locating the aircraft wreckage, based on all the analysis to date, would be exhausted.”
A report released last month found it was unlikely the plane was in a controlled descent when it crashed into the Indian Ocean.
Minister remains hopeful they will find plane in current site
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said despite the report he remained hopeful they would find the plane in the current search area.
“We are very close to completing the 120,000 square kilometre underwater search area,” he said.
“As agreed at the Tripartite Ministers meeting in Malaysia in July we will be suspending the search unless credible evidence is available that identifies the specific location of the aircraft.
“The search for MH370 has been the largest in aviation history and has tested the limits of technology, and the capacity of our experts and people at sea.
“Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of the 239 people on board.”
This post originally appeared on ABC News.
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