Location of debris in Indian Ocean consistent with MH370 modelling: Australia

The Australian government minister in charge of the MH370 search operation said on July 30, 2015, that if the wreckage found on La Reunion Island is from the missing flight, it would prove authorities were looking in the right area. PHOTO: EPA

PETALING JAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Australia said the location of a piece of wreckage found on La Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean near Madagascar, is consistent with modelling that the flight of Malaysia Airlines MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean.

"In the event that the wreckage is identified as being from MH370 on La Reunion Island, it would be consistent with other analysis and modelling that the resting place of the aircraft is in the southern Indian Ocean," said Australia's Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC) in a statement on Thursday.

"The debris is being examined by experts to determine its origin. Malaysia is responsible for the investigation and is managing this examination with the assistance of Boeing, the BEA (Bureau d'Enquetes et d'Analyses pour la Securite de l'Aviation Civile), the National Transportation Safety Bureau (US) and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau," it said.

The JACC also said any new evidence found would be used to further inform and refine ongoing search efforts.

La Reunion is a French island located in the Indian Ocean, about 175 km southwest of nearest island Mauritius and over 900km from Madagascar, off the east coast of Africa.

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