New heartache for families as officials admit search for missing Malaysia Airlines jet is to be finally called off
Teams are nearing the end of trawl through 120,000 square km of sea in which the jet is believed to have crashed with 239 on board
THE hunt for MH370 will be suspended if the missing plane's wreckage is not found within the coming weeks.
Search teams have investigated almost all of a 120,000 square kilometre-area in which the plane is believed to have crashed.
But with less than 10,000 square kilometres of that zone still to be scoured, devastated families of the 239 missing have been told the effort will be suspended if it is not found within that tiny area.
A letter to relatives said that "with less than 10,000 square kilometres of the high priority search area remaining to be searched, Ministers acknowledged that despite the best efforts of all involved, the likelihood of finding the aircraft is fading."
Malaysian Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai said: "In the absence of new evidence, Malaysia, Australia and China have collectively decided to suspend the search upon completion of the 120,000 square kilometre search area."
Officials maintained the search - which is the most expensive in aviation history - would not be shut down completely.
Lai added: "Should credible new information emerge which can be used to identify the specific location of the aircraft, consideration will be given in determining next steps."
Many relatives spoke out to voice their despair at the controversial decision - made after a meeting between ministers from Malaysia, Australia and China.
The disappearance of the Malaysia Airlines jet remains one of aviation's biggest mysteries.
Possible debris has washed up in Reunion, thousands of miles from the MH370 search area
The flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing is believed to have diverted off its route and crashed into the Indian Ocean off the coast of Western Australia on 8 March 2014.
Fragments of the missing plane began to wash up on the shores of south east Africa last year.
But ships using sonar to trawl the seabed in the Indian Ocean have recovered no hint of the jet.
The hunt had been scheduled to end in June but bad weather set back the Australian-led effort.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368