Australia says it has not forgotten MH370 victims

Australia has not forgotten the 239 passengers and crew on board the Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 that disappeared somewhere in the Indian Ocean, Transport Minister Darren Chester said Tuesday, two years after the plane went missing.

“We owe it to their memory and to the loved ones who mourn them, to honor the undertaking to complete the search of the area that experts have determined as most likely to contain the missing aircraft,” Chester said in a statement.

Australia coordinates the search, which Malaysia and China also participate in, covering an area of 120,000 square kilometers and a depth of 6,000 meters.

“As we search the remaining 30,000 square kilometer zone in the days and months ahead, Australia, Malaysia and the People’s Republic of China remain hopeful the aircraft will be found.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who will never be forgotten,” he added.

Before the search mission ends, authorities of the three countries plan to meet to decide the next step in solving the mystery.

Relatives of the disappeared have asked authorities to continue the search until the wreckage is found but the Australian body that coordinates the search has already ruled out extending it to other areas if the current operation does not bring results.