The latest MH370 seabed search phase has surveyed over 7,236 sq km in the Southern Indian Ocean but has yet to yield any conclusive discoveries
KUALA LUMPUR: The latest phase of the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has covered a substantial area of seabed without making any significant discoveries.
Search operations onboard the vessel Armada 8605 have surveyed a cumulative area of approximately 7,236.40 square kilometres as of January 15.
This information was detailed in a progress report posted by the Association for Families of the Passengers and Crew on board MH370.
The search activities were conducted within the Southern Indian Ocean sector of the 7th arc using up to three Hugin Autonomous Underwater Vehicles.
Operations were largely uninterrupted between January 6 and January 14 due to favourable weather conditions.
Surveying was halted on January 15 due to inclement weather, with all three AUVs safely recovered.
“The operation continues to progress methodically within the defined search area,” the report stated.
It added that further outcomes depend on continued surveying and favourable operational conditions.
Following this period, Armada 8605 is scheduled to return to Fremantle, Australia for a crew change.
The Malaysian government signed an agreement with UK-based Ocean Infinity to reinstate the search in April last year.
Flight MH370 disappeared on March 8, 2014, while travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people on board.