In brief
Donald Trump has announced his intention to declassify records pertaining to the 1937 disappearance of Amelia Earhart, which has intrigued historians and the public for decades. Earhart vanished during an ambitious attempt to fly around the world, leading to various theories about her fate, from a crash to theories of espionage. The release of these documents is expected to provide more insight into her final flight and the government's knowledge of her disappearance.
Donald Trump said he would order his administration to declassify secret government records related to the 1937 disappearance of the US aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart.
The story of Earhart, who vanished while flying over the Pacific Ocean, has captivated millions, the US president wrote on social media. Earhart's disappearance during an attempt to circumnavigate the globe has spawned numerous theories - from a simple crash due to fuel exhaustion to more elaborate claims of Japanese capture or US government espionage.
While some FBI files and Navy search reports have been declassified over the decades, many records have remained inaccessible, fuelling speculation about a cover-up.
Earhart disappeared during her attempt to fly around the globe, trying to reach Howland Island in the Pacific for refueling. The official explanation is that she didn't find the island, lost communication, and ran out of fuel, only to crash into the ocean. However, there is no evidence, such as debris, to support this version.
Trump pointed out that she made it almost three-quarters around the world before she suddenly vanished, never to be seen again. The documents to be released would include 'all government records related to Amelia Earhart, her final trip, and everything else about her.'
The officials have not confirmed how many files would be declassified or what specific information they will contain.
The persistence of interest in Earhart's case continues, including attempts to locate her plane. Recently, some researchers claimed they might have found Earhart's long-lost aircraft using sonar imaging, which mapped the ocean floor using sound waves, at a depth of approximately 4,877m from the surface of the Pacific Ocean.
