It was Black Monday for the relatives and families of 239 passengers. On March 24, 2014, Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak delivered the solemn statement, “It is therefore with deep sadness and regret that I must inform you that, according to this new data, flight MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean.”

The pain and anxiety experienced by the loved ones of the lost passengers prior to Prime Minister Najib’s statement is unfathomable.

One somber statement seemed to crush the hope that so many people had clung to. Days passed and the search for the missing plane seemed futile. But no one gave up. Since the accident, seven nations have come together: Australia, China, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Korea, and the United States. They forged a cooperative team that tirelessly probed the waters of the Indian Ocean for the missing plane. Along with the investigation teams of several nations, Peter Jackson, director of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, has also allowed for his private jet to be part of the search team. The will of these nations and individuals is unbreakable and miraculously, a new sign has appeared.

According to the British Broadcasting Corporation, “an Australian vessel searching for the missing Malaysia Airlines plane has detected signals consistent with those from aircraft black boxes.” Although the aircraft is yet to be found, there is a new hope that permeates through the vast waters of the Indian Ocean. Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston has called the sign the “most promising lead”. Although it has been predicted that the MH370 did end up in the southern Indian Ocean, the solution to the mystery of how seems to be within our grasp. Now, it is only a matter of time.

But there is a new hope that brings us together. The will and determination of the international search team and loved ones are undeniably worthy of admiration and praise. Let us hope for the discovery of the whereabouts of MH370 and the cause that has created this tragedy.