BEIJING: As the 10th anniversary of the mysterious disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 approaches, Chinese families who lost loved ones in the tragedy are urging for a fresh investigation, while concurrently appealing for compensation.
The plane disappeared on March 8, 2014, with 239 people on board, mostly Chinese citizens en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
Over 40 families have initiated lawsuits against Malaysia Airlines, Boeing, Rolls Royce, and Allianz insurance group, seeking both financial compensation and answers regarding the circumstances surrounding the flight’s disappearance. The litigation underscores the families’ persistent quest for closure and accountability.
The Australian-led operation, which conducted the most extensive search in aviation history across a 120,000-square-kilometer Indian Ocean zone, yielded minimal results, leading to its suspension in January 2017.
Investigation into Mysterious Disappearance of MH370 Flight
Frustrated by the lack of conclusive findings, the families released an open letter addressed to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, urging a renewed search for MH370 on a “No find, No fee” basis. The letter expressed the families’ willingness to invest personal funds or collaborate with capable entities for the search.
Outside the Beijing court where a fresh appeal for compensation is underway, emotional scenes unfolded as relatives recounted their stories and held signs calling for a restart of the search. Bao Lanfang, who lost multiple family members in the tragedy, emphasized her desire for truth rather than monetary compensation.
While the Chinese court’s jurisdiction to enforce compensation claims remains uncertain, each family is seeking civil compensation ranging from 10 million yuan ($1.4 million) to 80 million yuan ($11.2 million), along with moral damages.
Notably, more than 110 other families have reportedly reached settlements with the defendants, receiving amounts between 2.5 million and 3 million yuan.
