The Australian-led underwater search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has been suspended indefinitely, the Australian, Malaysian and Chinese governments said in a joint statement on Tuesday.
Despite almost three years of scouring the Southern Indian Ocean for the missing Boeing 777 jetliner, no new evidence was found in the official 120,000-square kilometer search zone.
In a statement released by Malaysian Minister of Transport Sri Liow Tiong Lai, Australian Minister for Transport Darren Chester, and Chinese Minister of Transport Li Xiaopeng, the underwater search would be suspended indefinitely in light of no new evidence of the airplane's whereabouts.
"Today the last search vessel has left the underwater search area. Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has not been located in the 120,000-square kilometer underwater search area in the southern Indian Ocean," the statement said.
"Despite every effort using the best science available, cutting edge technology, as well as modelling and advice from highly skilled professionals who are the best in their field, unfortunately, the search has not been able to locate the aircraft.
"Accordingly, the underwater search for MH370 has been suspended."
The ministers expressed their unreserved condolence to the families of the missing passengers and crew who have been waiting for almost three years for closure.
"Today's announcement is significant for our three countries, but more importantly for the family and friends of those on board the aircraft," the statement read.
"We again take this opportunity to honor the memory of those who have lost their lives and acknowledge the enormous loss felt by their loved ones."
The joint statement also said the decision to indefinitely suspend the search was not "taken lightly," and that the three governments had considered all scientific research and study into the possible location of the missing aircraft in making the decision.
"Whilst combined scientific studies have continued to refine areas of probability, to date no new information has been discovered to determine the specific location of the aircraft," the statement said.
"We have been overwhelmed by the commitment and dedication shown by the hundreds of people involved in the search, which has been an unprecedented challenge.
"Their tireless work has continued to improve our knowledge of the search area and has been critical in our efforts to locate the aircraft. We would like to reiterate our utmost appreciation to the many nations that have provided expertise and assistance since the early days of this unfortunate tragedy."
Last year, the three governments agreed that if no new evidence came from the official search zone, the search would be called off "indefinitely."
In concluding the statement, the ministers said they "remain hopeful" that new information "will come to light" and that at some point in the future "the aircraft will be located."
Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 was a scheduled passenger flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. It disappeared on March 8, 2014, with 239 passengers and crew on board.
