Trump to declassify files of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart

The story of Earhart, who vanished in 1937 while flying over the Pacific Ocean, "has captivated millions", the US president says.

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The story of the American aviation pioneer, who vanished while flying over the Pacific Ocean, "has captivated millions", the US president wrote on social media on Friday.

Earhart's disappearance during an attempt to circumnavigate the globe 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, some records have remained inaccessible, fuelling speculation about a cover-up.

The enduring mystery of Amelia EarhartEarhart disappeared while trying to reach Howland Island, a remote, uninhabited coral island owned by the US, to refuel.