Scientists are investigating an underwater sound signal which they say could have been caused by Malaysian Airlines flight MH370.
The signal was detected by sound recorders usually used to monitor whales near Rottnest Island, off the coast of Western Australia.
It was picked up just after 1.30am on 8 March, the day the aircraft bound for Beijing from Kuala Lumpur disappeared with 239 people on board.
Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 went missing on 8 March
A cautious Dr Alec Duncan of Perth Curtin University Centre for Marine Science and Technology warned the noise could also have been caused by a natural event, such as an earth tremor.
He said: “Soon after the aircraft disappeared, scientists at CTBTO (United Nations’ Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation) analysed data from their underwater listening stations south-west of Cape Leeuwin and northern Indian Ocean. They did not turn up anything of interest.
“But when the MH370 search area was moved to the southern Indian Ocean, scientists from Curtin’s Centre for Marine Science and Technology decided to recover the IMOS acoustic recorders located west of Rottnest Island.
“The crash of a large aircraft in the ocean would be a high energy event and expected to generate intense underwater sounds.”
While the signal was recorded off the coast of western Australia, the original location of the noise is believed to be around 3,000 miles north-west of the country – placing the point of origin just off the southern tip of India.
Speaking to the New York Times, Dr Duncan added: “It’s not even really a thump sort of sound – it’s more of a dull oomph.
Malaysia Airlines Flight Disaster In Pictures
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Grieving relatives (C) of passengers on Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 hold placards as they march towards the Malaysian embassy in Beijing on March 25, 2014. Scores of angry relatives of the Chinese passengers aboard Flight MH370 set out on a protest march to the Malaysian embassy in Beijing on March 25 to demand more answers about the crashed plane's fate. AFP PHOTO/ GOH CHAI HIN (Photo credit should read GOH CHAI HIN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Grieving relatives (C) of passengers on Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 hold placards as they gather outside the Malaysian embassy in Beijing on March 25, 2014. Scores of angry relatives of the Chinese passengers aboard Flight MH370 set out on a protest march to the Malaysian embassy in Beijing Tuesday to demand more answers about the crashed plane's fate. AFP PHOTO/ GOH CHAI HIN (Photo credit should read GOH CHAI HIN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Relatives Of Missing Flight MH370 Passengers March On Malaysian Embassy In Beijing(03 of160)
BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 25: Chinese relatives of flight MH370 walk towards the Malaysian Embassy on March 25, 2014 in Beijing, China. Hundreds of protesters, including many relatives of missing flight MH370 passengers, marched on the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing demanding answers from Malaysian authorities about the fate of the flight. The Prime Minister of Malaysia announced yesterday that new data showed the flight had crashed into the Southern Indian Ocean. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Relatives Of Missing Flight MH370 Passengers March On Malaysian Embassy In Beijing(04 of160)
BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 25: Chinese relatives of flight MH370 sit on a bus waiting to go to Malaysia embassy in protest on March 25, 2014 in Beijing, China. Hundreds of protesters, including many relatives of missing flight MH370 passengers, marched on the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing demanding answers from Malaysian authorities about the fate of the flight. The Prime Minister of Malaysia announced yesterday that new data showed the flight had crashed into the Southern Indian Ocean. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
MH370 Chinese Relatives Make a Protest Against Malaysia(05 of160)
BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 25: A family member of a passenger from the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 clashes with Chinese police outside the Malaysian Embassy on March 25, 2014 in Beijing, China. Hundreds of protesters, including many relatives of missing flight MH370 passengers, marched on the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing demanding answers from Malaysian authorities about the fate of the flight. The Prime Minister of Malaysia announced yesterday that new data showed the flight had crashed into the Southern Indian Ocean. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Relatives Of Missing Flight MH370 Passengers March On Malaysian Embassy In Beijing(06 of160)
BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 25: A family member of a passenger from the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 clashes with Chinese police outside the embassy in Malaysia on March 25, 2014 in Beijing, China. Hundreds of protesters, including many relatives of missing flight MH370 passengers, marched on the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing demanding answers from Malaysian authorities about the fate of the flight. The Prime Minister of Malaysia announced yesterday that new data showed the flight had crashed into the Southern Indian Ocean. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Relatives Of Missing Flight MH370 Passengers March On Malaysian Embassy In Beijing(07 of160)
BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 25: Chinese relatives of the flight MH370 walk towards the Malaysian Embassy on March 25, 2014 in Beijing, China. Hundreds of protesters, including many relatives of missing flight MH370 passengers, marched on the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing demanding answers from Malaysian authorities about the fate of the flight. The Prime Minister of Malaysia announced yesterday that new data showed the flight had crashed into the Southern Indian Ocean. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CHINA-MALAYSIA-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(08 of160)
Grieving Chinese relatives of passengers on missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 try to remove a police barricade blocking journalists as they gather to protest outside the Malaysian embassy in Beijing on March 25, 2014. Scores of angry relatives of the Chinese passengers aboard flight MH370 set out on a protest march to the Malaysian embassy in Beijing on March 25 to demand more answers about the crashed plane's fate. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Relatives Of Missing Flight MH370 Passengers March On Malaysian Embassy In Beijing(09 of160)
BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 25: Chinese relatives of the flight MH370 walk towards the Malaysian Embassy on March 25, 2014 in Beijing, China. Hundreds of protesters, including many relatives of missing flight MH370 passengers, marched on the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing demanding answers from Malaysian authorities about the fate of the flight. The Prime Minister of Malaysia announced yesterday that new data showed the flight had crashed into the Southern Indian Ocean. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Grieving Chinese relatives of passengers on missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 try to remove a police barricade blocking journalists as they gather to protest outside the Malaysian embassy in Beijing on March 25, 2014. Scores of angry relatives of the Chinese passengers aboard flight MH370 set out on a protest march to the Malaysian embassy in Beijing on March 25 to demand more answers about the crashed plane's fate. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Grieving Chinese relatives of passengers on missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 try to remove a police barricade blocking journalists as they gather to protest outside the Malaysian embassy in Beijing on March 25, 2014. Scores of angry relatives of the Chinese passengers aboard flight MH370 set out on a protest march to the Malaysian embassy in Beijing on March 25 to demand more answers about the crashed plane's fate. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Grieving Chinese relatives of passengers on missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 walk past a police barricade as they gather to protest outside the Malaysian embassy in Beijing on March 25, 2014. Scores of angry relatives of the Chinese passengers aboard flight MH370 set out on a protest march to the Malaysian embassy in Beijing on March 25 to demand more answers about the crashed plane's fate. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Grieving Chinese relatives of passengers on missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 try to remove a police barricade blocking journalists as they gather to protest outside the Malaysian embassy in Beijing on March 25, 2014. Scores of angry relatives of the Chinese passengers aboard flight MH370 set out on a protest march to the Malaysian embassy in Beijing on March 25 to demand more answers about the crashed plane's fate. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Grieving Chinese relatives of passengers on missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 try to remove a police barricade blocking journalists as they gather to protest outside the Malaysian embassy in Beijing on March 25, 2014. Scores of angry relatives of the Chinese passengers aboard flight MH370 set out on a protest march to the Malaysian embassy in Beijing on March 25 to demand more answers about the crashed plane's fate. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Grieving Chinese relatives of passengers on missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 walk past a police barricade as they gather to protest outside the Malaysian embassy in Beijing on March 25, 2014. Scores of angry relatives of the Chinese passengers aboard flight MH370 set out on a protest march to the Malaysian embassy in Beijing on March 25 to demand more answers about the crashed plane's fate. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Relatives Of Missing Flight MH370 Passengers March On Malaysian Embassy In Beijing(16 of160)
BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 25: Chinese relatives of the passenger from the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 clash with Chinese police outside the Malaysian Embassy on March 25, 2014 in Beijing, China. Hundreds of protesters, including many relatives of missing flight MH370 passengers, marched on the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing demanding answers from Malaysian authorities about the fate of the flight. The Prime Minister of Malaysia announced yesterday that new data showed the flight had crashed into the Southern Indian Ocean. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Chinese relatives of passengers on missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 march to protest outside the Malaysian embassy in Beijing on March 25, 2014. Scores of angry relatives of the Chinese passengers aboard flight MH370 set out on a protest march to the Malaysian embassy in Beijing on March 25 to demand more answers about the crashed plane's fate. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Chinese relatives of passengers on missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 are removed by bus after their protest outside the Malaysian embassy in Beijing on March 25, 2014. Scores of angry relatives of the Chinese passengers aboard flight MH370 set out on a protest march to the Malaysian embassy in Beijing on March 25 to demand more answers about the crashed plane's fate. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Relatives Of Missing Flight MH370 Passengers March On Malaysian Embassy In Beijing(19 of160)
BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 25: A family member of a passenger from the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 clashes with Chinese police outside the embassy in Malaysia on March 25, 2014 in Beijing, China. Hundreds of protesters, including many relatives of missing flight MH370 passengers, marched on the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing demanding answers from Malaysian authorities about the fate of the flight. The Prime Minister of Malaysia announced yesterday that new data showed the flight had crashed into the Southern Indian Ocean. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A relative of passengers on Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 cries after hearing the news that the plane plunged into the Indian Ocean at a hotel in Beijing on March 24, 2014. The missing Malaysia Airlines jet came down in the Indian Ocean, Prime Minister Najib Razak said March 24, as the airline reportedly told relatives it had been lost and that none on board survived. (credit:Getty)
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A relative of passengers on Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 cries after hearing the news that the plane plunged into the Indian Ocean at a hotel in Beijing on March 24, 2014. The missing Malaysia Airlines jet came down in the Indian Ocean, Prime Minister Najib Razak said March 24, as the airline reportedly told relatives it had been lost and that none on board survived. (credit:Getty)
Malaysian Prime Minister Announces Flight MH370 Crashed Into Southern Indian Ocean(22 of160)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - MARCH 24: Prime Minister of Malaysia (C), Najib Razak leaves after an ad hoc press conference on March 24, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Prime Minister Najib Razak spoke at the press conference to announce that fresh analysis of available satellite data has concluded that missing flight MH370's final position was in the southern Indian Ocean. French authorities reported a satellite sighting of objects in an area of the southern Indian Ocean where China and Australia have also reported similar sightings of potential debris from the flight that went missing on March 8. (Photo by Rahman Roslan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak (2nd R) and Malaysia's Minister of Defence and Acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein (R) walk after a press conference on the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 at the Putra World Trade Center (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur on March 24, 2014. The Malaysian Prime Minister on March 24 said that the flight of the missing Malaysian airlines MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean. AFP PHOTO / MOHD RASFAN (Photo credit should read MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (C) delivers a statement on the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 during a press conference at the Putra World Trade Center (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur on March 24, 2014. The Malaysian Prime Minister on March 24 said that the flight of the missing Malaysian airlines MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean. AFP PHOTO / MOHD RASFAN (Photo credit should read MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak (L) delivers his statement on the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 while Malaysian Minister of Defence and Acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein (R) looks on at the Putra World Trade Center (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur on March 24, 2014. The missing Malaysia Airlines jet came down in the Indian Ocean, Prime Minister Najib Razak said March 24, as the airline reportedly told relatives it had been lost and that none on board survived. AFP PHOTO / MOHD RASFAN (Photo credit should read MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Malaysian Prime Minister Announces Flight MH370 Crashed Into Southern Indian Ocean(26 of160)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - MARCH 24: Prime Minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak delivers a statement during an ad hoc press conference on March 24, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Prime Minister Najib Razak spoke at the press conference to announce that fresh analysis of available satellite data has concluded that missing flight MH370's final position was in the southern Indian Ocean. French authorities reported a satellite sighting of objects in an area of the southern Indian Ocean where China and Australia have also reported similar sightings of potential debris from the flight that went missing on March 8. (Photo by Rahman Roslan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Chinese relatives of passengers from missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 leave after another meeting with airline officials at the Metro Park Lido Hotel in Beijing on March 23, 2014. Malaysia said on March 23 it had received new satellite images from France showing floating objects in the main search area for a missing Malaysian jet in the Indian Ocean. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Possible Malaysian Airliner Debris Found In Indian Ocean(28 of160)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - MARCH 23: A man reads messages for the passengers and crew on-board missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 that are displayed outside a shopping mall on March 23, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The search to identify whether objects spotted in the Indian Ocean are related to missing flight MH370 continues for a fourth day, after Chinese authorities posted a satellite image of a large object floating just 120 kilometres from the location of the sighting of two previous objects released on Friday. The search for the airliner entered its third week after it went missing carrying 239 passengers and crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. (Photo by Rufus Cox/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Possible Malaysian Airliner Debris Found In Indian Ocean(29 of160)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - MARCH 23: Messages for the passengers and crew on-board missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 are displayed outside a shopping mall on March 23, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The search to identify whether objects spotted in the Indian Ocean are related to missing flight MH370 continues for a fourth day, after Chinese authorities posted a satellite image of a large object floating just 120 kilometres from the location of the sighting of two previous objects released on Friday. The search for the airliner entered its third week after it went missing carrying 239 passengers and crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. (Photo by Rufus Cox/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Possible Malaysian Airliner Debris Found In Indian Ocean(30 of160)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - MARCH 23: A man reads the front page of a newspaper with a headline relating to the search for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 on March 23, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The search to identify whether objects spotted in the Indian Ocean are related to missing flight MH370 continues for a fourth day, after Chinese authorities posted a satellite image of a large object floating just 120 kilometres from the location of the sighting of two previous objects released on Friday. The search for the airliner entered its third week after it went missing carrying 239 passengers and crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. (Photo by Rufus Cox/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Members of the Malaysia Airlines support team say farewell to a Chinese security guard (R) as they rotate from duties with the relatives of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, at the Metro Park Lido Hotel in Beijing on March 23, 2014. The Australian-led search for flight MH370 was ramped up on March 23 after a plane spotted unidentified debris in the Indian Ocean, following fresh Chinese satellite images showing a large floating object in the same remote region. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Chinese relatives (C) of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 are pictured during a meeting with airline officials at the Metro Park Lido Hotel in Beijing on March 23, 2014. The Australian-led search for flight MH370 was ramped up on March 23 after a plane spotted unidentified debris in the Indian Ocean, following fresh Chinese satellite images showing a large floating object in the same remote region. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Members of the Malaysia Airlines support team say farewell to a Chinese security guard (R) as they rotate from duties with the relatives of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, at the Metro Park Lido Hotel in Beijing on March 23, 2014. The Australian-led search for flight MH370 was ramped up on March 23 after a plane spotted unidentified debris in the Indian Ocean, following fresh Chinese satellite images showing a large floating object in the same remote region. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CHINA-MALAYSIA-VIETNAM-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(34 of160)
Chinese relatives (C) of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 arrive for a meeting with airline officials at the Metro Park Lido Hotel in Beijing on March 23, 2014. The Australian-led search for flight MH370 was ramped up on March 23 after a plane spotted unidentified debris in the Indian Ocean, following fresh Chinese satellite images showing a large floating object in the same remote region. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Royal Australian Air Force Flight Lieutenant Russell Adams speaks to the media after returning to Pearce Air Base at Bullsbrook, 35 kms north of Perth on March 23, 2014 following the continuing search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. The sighting of a wooden pallet and other debris that may be linked to the Malaysian passenger jet raised hopes on March 23 of a breakthrough in the international search for the missing plane. AFP PHOTO / POOL / Greg WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Chinese relatives of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 are pictured inside a room (C) during a meeting with airline officials at the Metro Park Lido Hotel in Beijing on March 23, 2014. The Australian-led search for flight MH370 was ramped up on March 23 after a plane spotted unidentified debris in the Indian Ocean, following fresh Chinese satellite images showing a large floating object in the same remote region. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Chinese relatives (C) of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 are pictured during a meeting with airline officials at the Metro Park Lido Hotel in Beijing on March 23, 2014. The Australian-led search for flight MH370 was ramped up on March 23 after a plane spotted unidentified debris in the Indian Ocean, following fresh Chinese satellite images showing a large floating object in the same remote region. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Wen Wancheng (L), whose son was on missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, speaks to the media after relatives met again with airline officials at the Metro Park Lido Hotel in Beijing on March 23, 2014. Malaysia said on March 23 it had received new satellite images from France showing floating objects in the main search area for a missing Malaysian jet in the Indian Ocean. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Possible Malaysian Airliner Debris Found In Indian Ocean(39 of160)
BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 23: Hotel security officers guard at an entrance door of a hotel room set aside for relatives of the passengers onboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 at Lido Hotel on March 23, 2014 in Beijing, China. The search to identify whether objects spotted in the Indian Ocean are related to missing flight MH370 continues after Chinese authorities posted a satellite image of a large object floating just 120 kilometres from the location of the sighting of two previous objects released on Friday. The airliner went missing nearly two weeks ago carrying 239 passengers and crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Wen Wancheng (L), whose son was on missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, speaks to the media after relatives met again with airline officials at the Metro Park Lido Hotel in Beijing on March 23, 2014. Malaysia said on March 23 it had received new satellite images from France showing floating objects in the main search area for a missing Malaysian jet in the Indian Ocean. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Members of the Malaysia Airlines support team say farewell to a Chinese security guard as they rotate from duties with the relatives of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, at the Metro Park Lido Hotel in Beijing on March 23, 2014. The Australian-led search for flight MH370 was ramped up on March 23 after a plane spotted unidentified debris in the Indian Ocean, following fresh Chinese satellite images showing a large floating object in the same remote region. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Chinese relatives (C) of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 leave after a meeting with airline officials at the Metro Park Lido Hotel in Beijing on March 23, 2014. The Australian-led search for flight MH370 was ramped up on March 23 after a plane spotted unidentified debris in the Indian Ocean, following fresh Chinese satellite images showing a large floating object in the same remote region. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Journalists wait for Chinese relatives of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 outside the hall, during a meeting with airline officials at the Metro Park Lido Hotel in Beijing on March 23, 2014. The Australian-led search for flight MH370 was ramped up on March 23 after a plane spotted unidentified debris in the Indian Ocean, following fresh Chinese satellite images showing a large floating object in the same remote region. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Chinese relatives (C) of passengers from missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 leave after another meeting with airline officials at the Metro Park Lido Hotel in Beijing on March 23, 2014. Malaysia said on March 23 it had received new satellite images from France showing floating objects in the main search area for a missing Malaysian jet in the Indian Ocean. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUSTRALIA-MALAYSIA-CHINA-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-CHINA-TRANSPORT(45 of160)
A Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion takes off at RAAF Pearce Base to join the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 in Perth on March 23, 2014. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said there was 'increasing hope' of finding missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, after a plane spotted unidentified debris including a wooden pallet in the Indian Ocean search site. AFP PHOTO / POOL (Photo credit should read Matt Jelonek/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Possible Malaysian Airliner Debris Found In Indian Ocean(46 of160)
BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 23: Chinese relatives of the passengers onboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 wait for the latest information at Lido Hotel on March 23, 2014 in Beijing, China. The search to identify whether objects spotted in the Indian Ocean are related to missing flight MH370 continues after Chinese authorities posted a satellite image of a large object floating just 120 kilometres from the location of the sighting of two previous objects released on Friday. The airliner went missing two weeks ago carrying 239 passengers and crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Sargent Samuel Carson prepares meals for crew on board a Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion as they search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 in the southern Indian Ocean on March 22, 2014. The Orion under took a four-hour journey to search an area approximately 2,500 kms southwest of Perth, two hours on station searching at about 400 feet above the ocean, and then a four-hour return. China released on March 22 a new satellite image of a large floating object possibly linked to missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, boosting search efforts as anger with the pace of the operation boiled over among Chinese relatives in Beijing. AFP PHOTO / POOL / Rob Griffith (Photo credit should read ROB GRIFFITH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Possible Malaysian Airliner Debris Found In Indian Ocean(48 of160)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 24: Members of Japan's disaster relief team wave off a Lockheed P-3C Orion aircraft as it prepares to take off from the RAAF base Pearce to commence a search for possible debris from the Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 on March 24, 2014 in Perth, Australia. French authorities reported a satellite sighting of objects in the southern Indian Ocean where China and Australia have also reported sighting potential debris from missing flight MH370. Ten aircraft from Australia, China, the United States, New Zealand and Japan will engage in the search today, approximately 2500 kilometres south-west of Perth. The search for the airliner entered its third week after it went missing carrying 239 passengers and crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. (Photo by Jason Reed - Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Possible Malaysian Airliner Debris Found In Indian Ocean(49 of160)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 24: Members of Japan's disaster relief team wave off a Lockheed P-3C Orion aircraft as it prepares to take off from the RAAF base Pearce to commence a search for possible debris from the Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 on March 24, 2014 in Perth, Australia. French authorities reported a satellite sighting of objects in the southern Indian Ocean where China and Australia have also reported sighting potential debris from missing flight MH370. Ten aircraft from Australia, China, the United States, New Zealand and Japan will engage in the search today, approximately 2500 kilometres south-west of Perth. The search for the airliner entered its third week after it went missing carrying 239 passengers and crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. (Photo by Jason Reed - Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Possible Malaysian Airliner Debris Found In Indian Ocean(50 of160)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 24: A Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force Lockheed P-3C Orion aircraft crew member wipes clean the windshield of the aircraft prior to departure from the RAAF base Pearce to commence a search for possible debris from the Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 on March 24, 2014 in Perth, Australia. French authorities reported a satellite sighting of objects in the southern Indian Ocean where China and Australia have also reported sighting potential debris from missing flight MH370. Ten aircraft from Australia, China, the United States, New Zealand and Japan will engage in the search today, approximately 2500 kilometres south-west of Perth. The search for the airliner entered its third week after it went missing carrying 239 passengers and crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. (Photo by Jason Reed - Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Possible Malaysian Airliner Debris Found In Indian Ocean(51 of160)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 23: Disaster relief team leader Masahiko Kobayashi (L) greet Japanese air force Commander Hidetsugu Iwanasa after his AP-3C Orion landed at RAAF Pearce Base to join the search for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 on March 23, 2014 in Perth, Australia. The Orion of the Japanese Air Force has arrived to join the search to identify whether two large objects spotted via satellite in the Indian Ocean are related to missing flight MH370. The airliner went missing two weeks ago carrying 239 passengers and crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. (Photo by Rob Griffith-Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
MALAYSIA-CHINA-VIETNAM-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(52 of160)
A Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force Personnel (L) and a Royal Malaysian Air Force talk to each other before taking off for Australia to join the search operation for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 at the Royal Malaysian Air Force base in Subang, outside Kuala Lumpur on March 23, 2014. China has new satellite images of one or more floating objects that could be related to missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Malaysian Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said. AFP PHOTO / MOHD RASFAN (Photo credit should read MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Focus Shifts To Crew And Passengers In Missing Malaysian Airliner Investigation(53 of160)
BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 23: A relative of a passenger onboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 answers media questions at the Lido Hotel on March 23, 2014 in Beijing, China. The search to identify whether objects spotted in the Indian Ocean are related to missing flight MH370 continues for a fourth day, after Chinese authorities posted a satellite image of a large object floating just 120 kilometres from the location of the sighting of two previous objects released on Friday. The search for the airliner entered its third week after it went missing carrying 239 passengers and crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CHINA-MALAYSIA-VIETNAM-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(54 of160)
A Chinese relative of a passenger from the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 asks a question to Malaysian ambassador Iskandar Sarudin during a briefing at Metro Park Lido Hotel in Beijing on March 24, 2014. Ships and planes from several nations swarmed over the southern Indian Ocean on March 24 as mounting evidence of floating debris energised the search for Malaysia's missing passenger jet. AFP PHOTO/GOH CHAI HIN (Photo credit should read GOH CHAI HIN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A Chinese relative of a passenger from the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 asks a question to Malaysian ambassador Iskandar Sarudin during a briefing at Metro Park Lido Hotel in Beijing on March 24, 2014. Ships and planes from several nations swarmed over the southern Indian Ocean on March 24 as mounting evidence of floating debris energised the search for Malaysia's missing passenger jet. AFP PHOTO/GOH CHAI HIN (Photo credit should read GOH CHAI HIN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CHINA-MALAYSIA-VIETNAM-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(56 of160)
A member of the Malaysia Airlines special assistance team entertains a young relative of a passenger from the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 at Metro Park Lido Hotel in Beijing on March 24, 2014. Ships and planes from several nations swarmed over the southern Indian Ocean on March 24 as mounting evidence of floating debris energised the search for Malaysia's missing passenger jet. AFP PHOTO/GOH CHAI HIN (Photo credit should read GOH CHAI HIN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Possible Malaysian Airliner Debris Found In Indian Ocean(57 of160)
BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 24: A relative of a passenger onboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 answers media questions at the Lido Hotel on March 24, 2014 in Beijing, China. French authorities reported a satellite sighting of objects in the southern Indian Ocean where China and Australia have also reported sighting potential debris from missing flight MH370. Ten aircraft from Australia, China, the United States, New Zealand and Japan will engage in the search today, approximately 2500 kilometres south-west of Perth. The airliner went missing nearly two weeks ago carrying 239 passengers and crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Possible Malaysian Airliner Debris Found In Indian Ocean(58 of160)
BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 24: A family member of a passenger from the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 shows her emotion at Lido Hotel on March 24, 2014 in Beijing, China. French authorities reported a satellite sighting of objects in the southern Indian Ocean where China and Australia have also reported sighting potential debris from missing flight MH370. Ten aircraft from Australia, China, the United States, New Zealand and Japan will engage in the search today, approximately 2500 kilometres south-west of Perth. The airliner went missing nearly two weeks ago carrying 239 passengers and crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Possible Malaysian Airliner Debris Found In Indian Ocean(59 of160)
BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 24: Chinese relatives of the passengers onboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 wait for the latest information at Lido Hotel on March 24, 2014 in Beijing, China. French authorities reported a satellite sighting of objects in the southern Indian Ocean where China and Australia have also reported sighting potential debris from missing flight MH370. Ten aircraft from Australia, China, the United States, New Zealand and Japan will engage in the search today, approximately 2500 kilometres south-west of Perth. The airliner went missing nearly two weeks ago carrying 239 passengers and crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Possible Malaysian Airliner Debris Found In Indian Ocean(60 of160)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 24: Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force personnel farewell a P-3 Orion as it taxis from the RAAF base Pearce to commence a search for possible debris from the Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 on March 24, 2014 in Perth, Australia. French authorities reported a satellite sighting of objects in the southern Indian Ocean where China and Australia have also reported sighting potential debris from missing flight MH370. Ten aircraft from Australia, China, the United States, New Zealand and Japan will engage in the search today, approximately 2500 kilometres south-west of Perth. The search for the airliner entered its third week after it went missing carrying 239 passengers and crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Possible Malaysian Airliner Debris Found In Indian Ocean(61 of160)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 24: Masahiko Kobayashi of the Japanese Disaster Relief Team talks with media prior to a Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force P-3 Orion departing from the RAAF base Pearce to commence a search for possible debris from the Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 on March 24, 2014 in Perth, Australia. French authorities reported a satellite sighting of objects in the southern Indian Ocean where China and Australia have also reported sighting potential debris from missing flight MH370. Ten aircraft from Australia, China, the United States, New Zealand and Japan will engage in the search today, approximately 2500 kilometres south-west of Perth. The search for the airliner entered its third week after it went missing carrying 239 passengers and crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Possible Malaysian Airliner Debris Found In Indian Ocean(62 of160)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 24: Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force personnel walk from the tarmac as a P-3 Orion prepares to depart from the RAAF base Pearce to commence a search for possible debris from the Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 on March 24, 2014 in Perth, Australia. French authorities reported a satellite sighting of objects in the southern Indian Ocean where China and Australia have also reported sighting potential debris from missing flight MH370. Ten aircraft from Australia, China, the United States, New Zealand and Japan will engage in the search today, approximately 2500 kilometres south-west of Perth. The search for the airliner entered its third week after it went missing carrying 239 passengers and crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Possible Malaysian Airliner Debris Found In Indian Ocean(63 of160)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 24: Commander Hidetsugu Iwamasa of the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force addresses the media before a Japanese P-3 Orion departs from the RAAF base Pearce to commence a search for possible debris from the Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 on March 24, 2014 in Perth, Australia. French authorities reported a satellite sighting of objects in the southern Indian Ocean where China and Australia have also reported sighting potential debris from missing flight MH370. Ten aircraft from Australia, China, the United States, New Zealand and Japan will engage in the search today, approximately 2500 kilometres south-west of Perth. The search for the airliner entered its third week after it went missing carrying 239 passengers and crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Possible Malaysian Airliner Debris Found In Indian Ocean(64 of160)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 24: Japanese media do a piece to camera prior to a Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force P-3 Orion departs from the RAAF base Pearce to commence a search for possible debris from the Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 on March 24, 2014 in Perth, Australia. French authorities reported a satellite sighting of objects in the southern Indian Ocean where China and Australia have also reported sighting potential debris from missing flight MH370. Ten aircraft from Australia, China, the United States, New Zealand and Japan will engage in the search today, approximately 2500 kilometres south-west of Perth. The search for the airliner entered its third week after it went missing carrying 239 passengers and crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Possible Malaysian Airliner Debris Found In Indian Ocean(65 of160)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 24: Commander Hidetsugu Iwamasa of the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force talks with RAAF Group Commander Craig Heath before a Japanese P-3 Orion departs from the RAAF base Pearce to commence a search for possible debris from the Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 on March 24, 2014 in Perth, Australia. French authorities reported a satellite sighting of objects in the southern Indian Ocean where China and Australia have also reported sighting potential debris from missing flight MH370. Ten aircraft from Australia, China, the United States, New Zealand and Japan will engage in the search today, approximately 2500 kilometres south-west of Perth. The search for the airliner entered its third week after it went missing carrying 239 passengers and crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Possible Malaysian Airliner Debris Found In Indian Ocean(66 of160)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 24: A Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force P-3 Orion takes off from the RAAF base Pearce to commence a search for possible debris from the Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 on March 24, 2014 in Perth, Australia. French authorities reported a satellite sighting of objects in the southern Indian Ocean where China and Australia have also reported sighting potential debris from missing flight MH370. Ten aircraft from Australia, China, the United States, New Zealand and Japan will engage in the search today, approximately 2500 kilometres south-west of Perth. The search for the airliner entered its third week after it went missing carrying 239 passengers and crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Possible Malaysian Airliner Debris Found In Indian Ocean(67 of160)
INDIAN OCEAN - This handout Satellite image made available by the AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority) shows a map of the planned search area for missing Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 on March 24, 2014. French authorities reported a satellite sighting of objects in the southern Indian Ocean where China and Australia have also reported sighting potential debris from missing flight MH370. Ten aircraft from Australia, China, the United States, New Zealand and Japan will engage in the search today, approximately 2500 kilometres south-west of Perth. The airliner went missing nearly two weeks ago carrying 239 passengers and crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. (Photo by AMSA via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Possible Malaysian Airliner Debris Found In Indian Ocean(68 of160)
INDIAN OCEAN - This handout Satellite image made available by the AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority) shows a map of the planned search area for missing Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 on March 24, 2014. French authorities reported a satellite sighting of objects in the southern Indian Ocean where China and Australia have also reported sighting potential debris from missing flight MH370. Ten aircraft from Australia, China, the United States, New Zealand and Japan will engage in the search today, approximately 2500 kilometres south-west of Perth. The airliner went missing nearly two weeks ago carrying 239 passengers and crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. (Photo by AMSA via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
MALAYSIA-CHINA-VIETNAM-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(69 of160)
Malaysia's Minister of Defence and Acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein (2nd R) speaks during a press conference at a hotel near Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang on March 19, 2014.Background checks on nearly all but three of the 239 passengers and crew on board a missing Malaysia Airlines jet have produced no 'information of significance', Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said on March 19. AFP PHOTO / MOHD RASFAN (Photo credit should read MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
MALAYSIA-CHINA-VIETNAM-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(70 of160)
Journalists watch a news channel announcing the possible finding of two objects related to the missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH370 at the Everly hotel in Putrajaya on March 20, 2013. Two objects possibly related to the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 have been sighted, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said in a potential breakthrough. AFP PHOTO/ MANAN VATSYAYANA (Photo credit should read MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
MALAYSIA-CHINA-VIETNAM-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(71 of160)
A Chinese relative of passengers from the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 looks down at a hotel in Cyberjaya, outside Kuala Lumpur on March 20, 2014. Two objects possibly related to the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 have been sighted by satellite in the remote southern Indian Ocean, Australian officials said, calling it the 'best lead we have'. AFP PHOTO / MOHD RASFAN (Photo credit should read MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
MALAYSIA-CHINA-VIETNAM-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(72 of160)
Sarah Nor, (L) 55, the mother of 34-year-old Norliakmar Hamid, a passenger on missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, arrives at a resort for relatives of the passengers, for a briefing in Cyberjaya, outside Kuala Lumpur on March 20, 2014. Malaysia said on March 20 that two objects spotted by a satellite in the Indian Ocean were a 'credible lead' in the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines passenger jet. Man at R is unidentified. AFP PHOTO / MOHD RASFAN (Photo credit should read MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Malaysia's Minister of Defence and Acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein (2nd L) speaks during a press conference at a hotel near Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang on March 20, 2014. Malaysia said March 20 that two objects spotted by a satellite in the Indian Ocean were a 'credible lead' in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. Others pictured are unidentified. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
MALAYSIA-CHINA-VIETNAM-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(74 of160)
Sarah Nor, (C) 55, the mother of 34-year-old Norliakmar Hamid, a passenger on missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, arrives at a resort for relatives of the passengers, for a briefing in Cyberjaya, outside Kuala Lumpur on March 20, 2014. Malaysia said on March 20 that two objects spotted by a satellite in the Indian Ocean were a 'credible lead' in the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines passenger jet. Man at R is unidentified. AFP PHOTO / MOHD RASFAN (Photo credit should read MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Possible Malaysian Airliner Debris Found In Indian Ocean(75 of160)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - MARCH 21: Malaysia's Minister of Defence and Acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein (3rd from R) listens to question from the floor during a press conference on March 21, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Australian authorities yesterday received satellite imagery that shows two large objects in the Indian Ocean that may be debris from missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. The airliner went missing nearly two weeks ago carrying 239 passengers and crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. (Photo by Rahman Roslan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Possible Malaysian Airliner Debris Found In Indian Ocean(76 of160)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - MARCH 21: Muslims exit a mosque after performing their Friday prayers for the missing passengers at a mosque on March 21, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Australian authorities yesterday received satellite imagery that shows two large objects in the Indian Ocean that may be debris from missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. The airliner went missing nearly two weeks ago carrying 239 passengers and crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. (Photo by Rahman Roslan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Possible Malaysian Airliner Debris Found In Indian Ocean(77 of160)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - MARCH 21: Malaysia's Minister of Defence and Acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein (3rd from R) listens to question from the floor during a press conference on March 21, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Australian authorities yesterday received satellite imagery that shows two large objects in the Indian Ocean that may be debris from missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. The airliner went missing nearly two weeks ago carrying 239 passengers and crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. (Photo by Rahman Roslan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Malaysia's Minister of Defence and Acting Transport Minister, Hishammuddin Hussein (R) answers questions during a press conference near Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang on March 21, 2014, as Director General of Civil Aviation Department (DCA) Azharuddin Abdul Rahman (L) looks on. Surveillance aircraft scoured a remote and stormy section of the Indian Ocean on March 20 for a pair of floating objects that Australia and Malaysia guardedly called a 'credible' lead in the 12-day-old hunt for the missing passenger jet. AFP PHOTO/ MANAN VATSYAYANA (Photo credit should read MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A woman, center, is carried out by security officials after she tried to protest before a press conference regarding a missing Malaysia Airlines plane at a hotel in Sepang, Malaysia, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. New radar data from Thailand gave Malaysian investigators more potential clues Wednesday for how to retrace the course of the missing Malaysian airliner, while a massive multinational search unfolded in an area the size of Australia. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) (credit:AP)
Malaysia Airlines Flight Disappears(80 of160)
A Chinese relative of a passenger aboard a missing Malaysia Airlines plane is carried out by security officials as she protests before a press conference at a hotel in Sepang, Malaysia, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. New radar data from Thailand gave Malaysian investigators more potential clues Wednesday for how to retrace the course of the missing Malaysian airliner, while a massive multinational search unfolded in an area the size of Australia. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) (credit:AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Malaysia Airlines Flight Disappears(81 of160)
A Chinese relative of a passenger aboard a missing Malaysia Airlines plane is carried out by security officials as she protests before a press conference at a hotel in Sepang, Malaysia, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. New radar data from Thailand gave Malaysian investigators more potential clues Wednesday for how to retrace the course of the missing Malaysian airliner, while a massive multinational search unfolded in an area the size of Australia. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) (credit:AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Malaysia Airlines Flight Disappears(82 of160)
Relatives of Chinese passengers aboard missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 attend a daily briefing meeting with managers of Malaysia Airlines at a hotel ballroom in Beijing, China, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Search crews from 26 countries are looking for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which vanished early March 8 with 239 people aboard en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Frustration is growing among relatives of those on the plane at the lack of progress in the search. (AP Photo/Alexander F. Yuan)
Malaysia Airlines Flight Disappears(83 of160)
An elderly woman, one of the relatives of Chinese passengers aboard missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, covers her face out of frustration as she leaves a hotel ballroom after a daily briefing meeting with managers of Malaysia Airlines in Beijing, China, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Search crews from 26 countries are looking for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which vanished early March 8 with 239 people aboard en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Frustration is growing among relatives of those on the plane at the lack of progress in the search. (AP Photo/Alexander F. Yuan)
Malaysia Airlines Flight Disappears(84 of160)
A woman pushes her baby cart in front of the messages board for passengers aboard a missing Malaysia Airlines plane at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Malaysia, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. New radar data from Thailand gave Malaysian investigators more potential clues Wednesday for how to retrace the course of the missing Malaysian airliner, while a massive multinational search unfolded in an area the size of Australia. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Focus Shifts To Crew And Passengers In Missing Malaysian Airliner Investigation(85 of160)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - MARCH 17: A tourist ties up her well wish card dedicated to the flight MH370, March 17, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The search area for Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 has increased again to include both land and water from Kazakhstan to the southern Indian Ocean following reports the airliner flew for several hours after last contact. The missing aircraft disappeared one week ago carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. All passengers and crew are currently under investigation and 22 countries are involved in the search. (Photo by Rahman Roslan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Focus Shifts To Crew And Passengers In Missing Malaysian Airliner Investigation(86 of160)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - MARCH 17: A tourist from Thailand poses with his well wish card dedicated to the flight MH370, March 17, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The search area for Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 has increased again to include both land and water from Kazakhstan to the southern Indian Ocean following reports the airliner flew for several hours after last contact. The missing aircraft disappeared one week ago carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. All passengers and crew are currently under investigation and 22 countries are involved in the search. (Photo by Rahman Roslan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A man uses a telescope to look out over the planes on the tarmac at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang on March 18, 2014. The last words from Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 passenger jet missing for 10 days were apparently spoken by the co-pilot, the airline said on March 17, providing a glimpse into the crucial period when the plane was deliberately diverted. AFP PHOTO / MOHD RASFAN (Photo credit should read MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
MALAYSIA-CHINA-VIETNAM-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(88 of160)
A message and a rose sits left on a barrier in front of a message wall (in background) for the passengers of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 on display at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang, outside Kuala Lumpur on March 18, 2014. The last words from the Malaysian passenger jet missing for 10 days were apparently spoken by the co-pilot, the airline said on March 17, providing a glimpse into the crucial period when the plane was deliberately diverted. AFP PHOTO / MOHD RASFAN (Photo credit should read MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A woman writes on a banner carrying messages for the passengers of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang, outside Kuala Lumpur on March 18, 2014. The last words from the Malaysian passenger jet missing for 10 days were apparently spoken by the co-pilot, the airline said on March 17, providing a glimpse into the crucial period when the plane was deliberately diverted. AFP PHOTO / MOHD RASFAN (Photo credit should read MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Messages for the passengers of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 are posted on a wall display at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang, outside Kuala Lumpur on March 18, 2014. The last words from the Malaysian passenger jet missing for 10 days were apparently spoken by the co-pilot, the airline said on March 17, providing a glimpse into the crucial period when the plane was deliberately diverted. AFP PHOTO / MOHD RASFAN (Photo credit should read MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
MALAYSIA-CHINA-VIETNAM-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(91 of160)
Jean-Paul Troadec (C), the head of France's Bureau of Investigation and Analysis (BEA) talks to journalists regarding passengers of missing the Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 outside a hotel at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang, outside Kuala Lumpur on March 18, 2014. Malaysia vehemently denies mishandling crucial information on the fate of missing Malaysia Airlines flight 370, but questions persist as to whether early missteps and secrecy contributed to the disappearance of a huge passenger plane on a clear night. AFP PHOTO/ MOHD RASFAN (Photo credit should read MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Malaysia's Foreign Minister Anifah Aman (L) speaks as Malaysia's Minister of Defence and Acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein (R) listens during a press conference at a hotel near Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang on March 18, 2014. An investigation into the pilots of missing Malaysia Airlines flight 370 intensified on March 17 after officials confirmed that the last words spoken from the cockpit came after a key signalling system was manually disabled. AFP PHOTO/ MOHD RASFAN (Photo credit should read MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Malaysia's Minister of Defence and Acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein (C) and Malaysia's Foreign Minister Anifah Aman (R) talk to each others before a press conference at a hotel near Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang on March 18, 2014. An investigation into the pilots of missing Malaysia Airlines flight 370 intensified on March 17 after officials confirmed that the last words spoken from the cockpit came after a key signalling system was manually disabled. AFP PHOTO/ MOHD RASFAN (Photo credit should read MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
MALAYSIA-CHINA-VIETNAM-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(94 of160)
Malaysia's Minister of Defence and Acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein (C) speaks as Malaysia's Foreign Minister Anifah Aman (R) listens during a press conference at a hotel near Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang on March 18, 2014. An investigation into the pilots of missing Malaysia Airlines flight 370 intensified on March 17 after officials confirmed that the last words spoken from the cockpit came after a key signalling system was manually disabled. AFP PHOTO/ MOHD RASFAN (Photo credit should read MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Special Prayers Held For Passengers And Crew Of Missing Malaysian Airliner(95 of160)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - MARCH 18: A Christian priest signs a banner after a special prayers held in Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin mosque for the missing Malaysian airliner MH370, March 18, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 disappeared ten days ago carrying 227 passengers and 12-crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. All passengers and crew are currently under investigation and 22 countries are involved in extensive search for the airliner. (Photo by Rahman Roslan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Special Prayers Held For Passengers And Crew Of Missing Malaysian Airliner(96 of160)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - MARCH 18: A muslim man signs a banner while being watched by representative from Christian, Hindu and Buddhist community after a special prayers held in Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin mosque for the missing Malaysian airliner MH370, March 18, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 disappeared ten days ago carrying 227 passengers and 12-crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. All passengers and crew are currently under investigation and 22 countries are involved in extensive search for the airliner. (Photo by Rahman Roslan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Special Prayers Held For Passengers And Crew Of Missing Malaysian Airliner(97 of160)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - MARCH 18: A group of Buddhist monks attend a special prayers held in Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin mosque for the missing Malaysian airliner MH370, March 18, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 disappeared ten days ago carrying 227 passengers and 12-crew on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. All passengers and crew are currently under investigation and 22 countries are involved in extensive search for the airliner. (Photo by Rahman Roslan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Missing Malaysian Airliner Carrying 239 Passengers(98 of160)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - MARCH 10: Dato' Azharuddin Abdul Rahman, director general of the Malaysian Department of Civil Aviation briefs the media over latest updates on missing Malaysia Airline MH370 on March 10, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Potential sightings of possible airliner debris and a possible oil slick in the sea off Vietnam have not been officially verified or confirmed as investigative teams continue to search for the whereabouts of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 and its 293 passengers, travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. The airliner was reported missing on the morning of March 8 after the crew failed to check in as scheduled. Relatives of the missing passengers have been advised to prepare for the worst as authorities focus on two passengers on board travelling with stolen passports. (Photo by How Foo Yeen/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Missing Malaysian Airliner Carrying 239 Passengers(99 of160)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - MARCH 10: Major General Datuk Affendi Buang briefs the media over latest updates on missing Malaysia Airline MH370 on March 10, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Potential sightings of possible airliner debris and a possible oil slick in the sea off Vietnam have not been officially verified or confirmed as investigative teams continue to search for the whereabouts of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 and its 293 passengers, travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. The airliner was reported missing on the morning of March 8 after the crew failed to check in as scheduled. Relatives of the missing passengers have been advised to prepare for the worst as authorities focus on two passengers on board travelling with stolen passports. (Photo by How Foo Yeen/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Missing Malaysian Airliner Carrying 239 Passengers(100 of160)
KELANTAN, MALAYSIA - MARCH 09: In this handout provided by the Malaysian Maritime Agency, personnel of Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency gather during the search and rescue mission for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 on March 9, 2014 in Kelantan, Malaysia. Potential sightings of possible airliner debris and a possible oil slick in the sea off Vietnam have not been officially verified or confirmed as investigative teams continue to search for the whereabouts of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 and its 293 passengers, travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. The airliner was reported missing on the morning of March 8 after the crew failed to check in as scheduled. Relatives of the missing passengers have been advised to prepare for the worst as authorities focus on two passengers on board travelling with stolen passports. (Photo by Malaysian Maritime Agency via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Missing Malaysian Airliner Carrying 239 Passengers(101 of160)
AT SEA, KELANTAN COAST, MALAYSIA - MARCH 09: In this handout provided by the Malaysian Maritime Agency, a patrol vessel of Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency searches during the search and rescue mission for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 on March 9, 2014 off the Kelantan coast, Malaysia. Potential sightings of possible airliner debris and a possible oil slick in the sea off Vietnam have not been officially verified or confirmed as investigative teams continue to search for the whereabouts of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 and its 293 passengers, travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. The airliner was reported missing on the morning of March 8 after the crew failed to check in as scheduled. Relatives of the missing passengers have been advised to prepare for the worst as authorities focus on two passengers on board travelling with stolen passports. (Photo by Malaysian Maritime Agency via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CHINA-MALAYSIA-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(102 of160)
Relatives of victims from the missing Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200 plane leave after applying for their Chinese passports to be ready for travel to Kuala Lumpur to be closer to the rescue operations, in Beijing on March 10, 2014. An international search and rescue effort still had not found any confirmed debris from a Malaysia Airlines jet more than two days after it mysteriously went missing, an official said. AFP PHOTO/GOH CHAI HIN (Photo credit should read GOH CHAI HIN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CHINA-MALAYSIA-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(103 of160)
Relatives of victims from the missing Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200 plane leave after applying for their Chinese passports to be ready for travel to Kuala Lumpur to be closer to the rescue operations, in Beijing on March 10, 2014. An international search and rescue effort still had not found any confirmed debris from a Malaysia Airlines jet more than two days after it mysteriously went missing, an official said. AFP PHOTO/GOH CHAI HIN (Photo credit should read GOH CHAI HIN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
INDONESIA-MALAYSIA-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-CHINA-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(104 of160)
An Indonesian Navy pilot conducts an aerial search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 in the waters bordering Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand on March 10, 2014. Mystery deepened on March 10 over the fate of the Malaysian jet carrying 239 people, as tests on oil slicks scotched suspicions it was aircraft fuel while the search for debris failed to yield any trace of the missing aircraft. AFP PHOTO / ATAR (Photo credit should read ATAR/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
INDONESIA-MALAYSIA-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-CHINA-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(105 of160)
Indonesian Navy pilots conduct an aerial search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 in the waters bordering Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand on March 10, 2014. Mystery deepened on March 10 over the fate of the Malaysian jet carrying 239 people, as tests on oil slicks scotched suspicions it was aircraft fuel while the search for debris failed to yield any trace of the missing aircraft. AFP PHOTO / ATAR (Photo credit should read ATAR/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
MALAYSIA-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-CHINA-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(106 of160)
A Malaysian mourner holds a candle during a vigil for missing Malaysia Airlines passengers at the Independence Square in Kuala Lumpur on March 10, 2014. Malaysia has expanded its search area for a missing jet after three days of scouring the sea failed to bring forth any confirmed sightings of wreckage, an official said. He added that besides searching in waters between Malaysia and Vietnam, authorities were also searching on land in Malaysia and off western Malaysia. AFP PHOTO/ MANAN VATSYAYANA (Photo credit should read MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
MALAYSIA-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-CHINA-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(107 of160)
A Malaysian ethnic Chinese child reacts to the camera as others light candles during a vigil for missing Malaysia Airlines passengers at the Independence Square in Kuala Lumpur on March 10, 2014. Malaysia has expanded its search area for a missing jet after three days of scouring the sea failed to bring forth any confirmed sightings of wreckage, an official said. He added that besides searching in waters between Malaysia and Vietnam, authorities were also searching on land in Malaysia and off western Malaysia. AFP PHOTO/ MANAN VATSYAYANA (Photo credit should read MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
MALAYSIA-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-CHINA-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(108 of160)
A group of Malaysian residents pose after lighting candles during a vigil for missing Malaysia Airlines passengers at the Independence Square in Kuala Lumpur on March 10, 2014. Malaysia has expanded its search area for a missing jet after three days of scouring the sea failed to bring forth any confirmed sightings of wreckage, an official said. He added that besides searching in waters between Malaysia and Vietnam, authorities were also searching on land in Malaysia and off western Malaysia. AFP PHOTO/ MANAN VATSYAYANA (Photo credit should read MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
MALAYSIA-CHINA-VIETNAM-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(109 of160)
A relative of victims from the missing Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200 plane cries while awaiting updates at a hotel in Putrajaya on March 11, 2014. Malaysia has expanded its search area for a missing jet after three days of scouring the sea failed to bring forth any confirmed sightings of wreckage, an official said. He added that besides searching in waters between Malaysia and Vietnam, authorities were also searching on land in Malaysia and off western Malaysia. AFP PHOTO / MOHD RASFAN (Photo credit should read MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
MALAYSIA-CHINA-VIETNAM-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(110 of160)
A journalist (bottom C) points at a photograph of Iranian passenger Pouria Noor Mohammad Mehrdad (pictured L) as a Malaysian police official displays photographs of the two men, who reportedly boarded the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 using stolen European passports, to the media at a hotel near Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang on March 11, 2014. Malaysian police said on March 11 one of two suspect passengers who boarded the missing passenger jet was an Iranian illegal immigrant, as relatives of some of the 239 people on board said they were losing hope for a miracle. AFP PHOTO / MANAN VATSYAYANA (Photo credit should read MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
MALAYSIA-CHINA-VIETNAM-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(111 of160)
A Malaysian police official displays a photograph of Iranian Pouria Noor Mohammad Mehrdad, one of two men who reportedly boarded missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 using stolen European passports, to the media at a hotel near Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang on March 11, 2014. Malaysian police said on March 11 one of two suspect passengers who boarded the missing passenger jet was an Iranian illegal immigrant, as relatives of some of the 239 people on board said they were losing hope for a miracle. AFP PHOTO / MANAN VATSYAYANA (Photo credit should read MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Area Expanded For Missing Malaysian Airliner Carrying 239 Passengers(112 of160)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - MARCH 11: In this handout provided by the Angkatan Tentera Malaysia, Malaysian Royal Navy (TLDM) commander Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar (left), Lieutenant General Dato' Sri Ackbal bin Hj Abdul Samad (2nd left), Malaysian Defence Minister, Minister of Defence & (Acting) Minister of Transport Dato' Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (2nd right), and Malaysian Defence Forces chief Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin discuss their strategy during a search and rescue mission flight on March 11, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Officials have expanded the search area for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 to include more of the Gulf of Thailand between Malaysia and Vietnam and land along the Malay Peninsula. The flight carrying 239 passengers from Kuala Lumpur to Thailand was reported missing on the morning of March 8 after the crew failed to check in as scheduled. Relatives of the missing passengers have been advised to prepare for the worst as authorities focus on two passengers on board travelling with stolen passports. (Photo by Angkatan Tentera Malaysia via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Area Expanded For Missing Malaysian Airliner Carrying 239 Passengers(113 of160)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - MARCH 11: This composite of images #477770287 & #477770285 shows cctv imagery released by police of an Iranian suspect, Pouria Nour Mohammad Mehrdad, who was travelling on Flight MH370 with a stolen Austrian passport, (L) and an unindentified suspect who was travelling on Flight MH370 with a stolen Italian passport (R), on March 11, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Officials have expanded the search area for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 to include more of the Gulf of Thailand between Malayisa and Vietnam and land along the Malay Pensinusula. The flight carrying 239 passengers from Kuala Lumpur to Thailand was reported missing on the morning of March 8 after the crew failed to check in as scheduled. Relatives of the missing passengers have been advised to prepare for the worst as authorities focus on two passengers on board travelling with stolen passports. (Photo by How Foo Yeen/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A relative of a passenger on board missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH370 sits in the dining hall at the Everly hotel in Putrajaya on March 12, 2014. Malaysia's air force chief said authorities have not ruled out the possibility a missing airliner inexplicably changed course before losing contact, but denied reports the jet had been detected far from its planned flight path. AFP PHOTO/ MANAN VATSYAYANA (Photo credit should read MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
MALAYSIA-CHINA-VIETNAM-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(115 of160)
Relatives of a passenger on board missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH370 wait in the lobby at the Everly hotel in Putrajaya on March 12, 2014. Malaysia's air force chief said authorities have not ruled out the possibility a missing airliner inexplicably changed course before losing contact, but denied reports the jet had been detected far from its planned flight path. AFP PHOTO/ MANAN VATSYAYANA (Photo credit should read MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Zamani Zakaria ,56, (C) whose son was aboard missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH370 talks to the media at the Everly hotel in Putrajaya on March 12, 2014. Malaysia's air force chief said authorities have not ruled out the possibility a missing airliner inexplicably changed course before losing contact, but denied reports the jet had been detected far from its planned flight path. AFP PHOTO / MANAN VATSYAYANA (Photo credit should read MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A relative of a passenger on board missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH370 cries as she arrives at the Everly hotel in Putrajaya on March 12, 2014. Malaysia's air force chief said authorities have not ruled out the possibility a missing airliner inexplicably changed course before losing contact, but denied reports the jet had been detected far from its planned flight path. AFP PHOTO / MANAN VATSYAYANA (Photo credit should read MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Missing Malaysian Airliner Carrying 239 Passengers(118 of160)
This picture taken on March 8, 2014 shows military personnel scanning the sea aboard a Vietnamese Air Force aircraft taking part in a search mission for a missing Malaysia Airlines aircraft, somewhere between Malaysia's east coast and southern Vietnam. Malaysia Airlines said on March 9 that it was 'fearing the worst' for the passenger jet that vanished carrying 239 people, as search teams hunt for the plane. AFP PHOTO/Thanh Nien Newspaper (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Missing Malaysian Airliner Carrying 239 Passengers(119 of160)
This picture taken on March 8, 2014 shows an aerial view of an oil slick taken from a Vietnamese Air Force aircraft taking part in a search mission for a missing Malaysia Airlines aircraft, somewhere between Malaysia's east coast and southern Vietnam. Malaysia Airlines said on March 9 that it was 'fearing the worst' for the passenger jet that vanished carrying 239 people, as search teams hunt for the plane. AFP PHOTO/Thanh Nien Newspaper (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
VIETNAM-MALAYSIA-MALAYSIAAIRLINE-CHINA-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(120 of160)
This aerial picture taken from aboard a flying Soviet-made AN-26 used as a search aircraft by Vietnamese Air Force to look for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, shows a boat (R) sailing past oil spills (L) on the surface of the water off the southern seas of Vietnam on March 9, 2014. Malaysia on March 9 launched a terror probe into the disappearance of a Malaysian Airlines passenger jet carrying 239 people the day before, investigating suspect passengers who boarded with stolen passports, as relatives begged for news of their loved ones. The United States sent the FBI to investigate after Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 vanished from radar early on March 8 somewhere at sea between Malaysia and Vietnam, but stressed there was no evidence of terrorism yet. AFP PHOTO / HOANG DINH NAM (Photo credit should read HOANG DINH NAM/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
VIETNAM-MALAYSIA-MALAYSIAAIRLINE-CHINA-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(121 of160)
This aerial picture taken from aboard a flying Soviet-made AN-26 used as a search aircraft by Vietnamese Air Force to look for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, shows oil spills on the surface of the water off the southern seas of Vietnam on March 9, 2014. Malaysia on March 9 launched a terror probe into the disappearance of a Malaysian Airlines passenger jet carrying 239 people the day before, investigating suspect passengers who boarded with stolen passports, as relatives begged for news of their loved ones. The United States sent the FBI to investigate after Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 vanished from radar early on March 8 somewhere at sea between Malaysia and Vietnam, but stressed there was no evidence of terrorism yet. AFP PHOTO / HOANG DINH NAM (Photo credit should read HOANG DINH NAM/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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This aerial picture taken from aboard a flying Soviet-made AN-26 used as a search aircraft by Vietnamese Air Force to look for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, shows an Air Force officer looking out a window over the southern seas off Vietnam on March 9, 2014. Malaysia on March 9 launched a terror probe into the disappearance of a Malaysian Airlines passenger jet carrying 239 people the day before, investigating suspect passengers who boarded with stolen passports, as relatives begged for news of their loved ones. The United States sent the FBI to investigate after Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 vanished from radar early on March 8 somewhere at sea between Malaysia and Vietnam, but stressed there was no evidence of terrorism yet. AFP PHOTO / HOANG DINH NAM (Photo credit should read HOANG DINH NAM/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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This picture taken from aboard a flying Soviet-made AN-26 used as a search aircraft by Vietnamese Air Force to look for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, shows an officer (R) and a reporter looking out the window during search operations over the southern seas off Vietnam on March 9, 2014. Malaysia on March 9 launched a terror probe into the disappearance of a Malaysian Airlines passenger jet carrying 239 people the day before, investigating suspect passengers who boarded with stolen passports, as relatives begged for news of their loved ones. The United States sent the FBI to investigate after Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 vanished from radar early on March 8 somewhere at sea between Malaysia and Vietnam, but stressed there was no evidence of terrorism yet. AFP PHOTO / HOANG DINH NAM (Photo credit should read HOANG DINH NAM/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
VIETNAM-MALAYSIA-MALAYSIAAIRLINE-CHINA-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(124 of160)
CORRECTION-CLARIFYINGThis picture taken on March 9, 2014 aboard a flying Soviet-made AN-26, used as a search aircraft by the Vietnamese Air Force, shows local cameramen and photographers taking aerial pictures during a search flight over the southern seas off the coast of Vietnam for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which has been missing since March 8. Malaysia on March 9 launched a terror probe into the disappearance of a Malaysia Airlines passenger jet carrying 239 people the day before, investigating suspect passengers who boarded with stolen passports, as relatives begged for news of their loved ones. AFP PHOTO/HOANG DINH NAM (Photo credit should read HOANG DINH NAM/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Missing Malaysian Airliner Carrying 239 Passengers(125 of160)
BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 09: Joshua Law Kok Hwa, Malaysia Airlines' regional senior vice president of China speaks to media at Lido Hotel as the search continues for the missing Malaysian airliner on March 9, 2014 in Beijing, China. Malaysia Airline Flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing and carrying 239 onboard was reported missing on early on March 8 after the crew failed to check in as scheduled while flying over the sea between Malaysia and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Missing Malaysian Airliner Carrying 239 Passengers(126 of160)
BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 09: Hugh Dunleavy, (Center) Head of commercial - Malaysia Airlines speaks to media at Lido Hotel as the search continues for the missing Malaysian airliner on March 9, 2014 in Beijing, China. Malaysia Airline Flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing and carrying 239 onboard was reported missing on early on March 8 after the crew failed to check in as scheduled while flying over the sea between Malaysia and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CORRECTION-VIETNAM-MALAYSIA-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-CHINA-TRANSPORT(127 of160)
CORRECTION-CLARIFYINGThis picture taken on March 9, 2014 aboard a flying Soviet-made AN-26, used as a search aircraft by the Vietnamese Air Force, shows local cameramen and photographers taking aerial pictures during a search flight over the southern seas off the coast of Vietnam for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which has been missing since March 8. Malaysia on March 9 launched a terror probe into the disappearance of a Malaysia Airlines passenger jet carrying 239 people the day before, investigating suspect passengers who boarded with stolen passports, as relatives begged for news of their loved ones. AFP PHOTO/HOANG DINH NAM (Photo credit should read HOANG DINH NAM/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
VIETNAM-MALAYSIA-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-CHINA-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(128 of160)
CORRECTION-CLARIFYINGThis picture taken on March 9, 2014 aboard a flying Soviet-made AN-26, used as a search aircraft by the Vietnamese Air Force, shows local cameramen and photographers taking aerial pictures during a search flight over the southern seas off the coast of Vietnam for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which has been missing since March 8. Malaysia on March 9 launched a terror probe into the disappearance of a Malaysia Airlines passenger jet carrying 239 people the day before, investigating suspect passengers who boarded with stolen passports, as relatives begged for news of their loved ones. AFP PHOTO/HOANG DINH NAM (Photo credit should read HOANG DINH NAM/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Family members look at a wedding album of Norliakmar Hamid and Razahan Zamani, passengers on a missing Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200 plane in Kuala Lumpur on March 8, 2014. Malaysia and Vietnam on March 8 led a search for a Malaysia Airlines jet that has gone missing over Southeast Asia, as fears mounted over the fate of the 239 people aboard. AFP PHOTO / MOHD RASFAN (Photo credit should read MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
MALAYSIA-VIETNAM-CHINA-MALAYSIAAIRLINES-TRANSPORT-ACCIDENT(130 of160)
Family members look at a wedding album of Norliakmar Hamid (R, in veil) and Razahan Zamani, passengers on a missing Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200 plane in Kuala Lumpur on March 8, 2014. Malaysia and Vietnam on March 8 led a search for a Malaysia Airlines jet that has gone missing over Southeast Asia, as fears mounted over the fate of the 239 people aboard. AFP PHOTO / MOHD RASFAN (Photo credit should read MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Sarah Nor, 55, the mother of 34-year-old Norliakmar Hamid, a passenger on a missing Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200 plane, talks on a mobile phone at her house in Kuala Lumpur on March 8, 2014. Malaysia and Vietnam on March 8 led a search for a Malaysia Airlines jet that has gone missing over Southeast Asia, as fears mounted over the fate of the 239 people aboard. AFP PHOTO / MOHD RASFAN (Photo credit should read MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (C) arrives to meet family members of missing passengers at the reception centre at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 8, 2014. Rescuers from several nations mounted an air and sea search on March 8 for a Malaysia Airlines jet that has gone missing over Southeast Asia, with grave fears for the 239 people on board. AFP PHOTO/ MANAN VATSYAYANA (Photo credit should read MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Missing Malaysian Arliner Carrying 239 Passengers(133 of160)
BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 09: Malaysia Airline special assistance team member (R) and a relative (L) of a passenger onboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 walk to have lunch after long time waiting at Lido Hotel on March 9, 2014 in Beijing, China. Malaysia Airline Flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing and carrying 239 onboard was reported missing after the crew failed to check in as scheduled while flying over the sea between Malaysia and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, according to published reports. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Missing Malaysian Arliner Carrying 239 Passengers(134 of160)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - MARCH 09: Tan Sri Zulkifelii Mohd Zin, Cheif of Malysia Armed Forces briefs the media briefs the media about Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 on March 9, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing carrying 239 onboard was reported missing after the crew failed to check in as scheduled while flying over the sea between Malaysia and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, according to published reports. (Photo by How Foo Yeen/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Missing Malaysian Arliner Carrying 239 Passengers(135 of160)
BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 09: Malaysia Airline special assistance team members enter an area where relatives of passengers onboard Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 have gathered at Lidu Hotel on March 9, 2014 in Beijing, China. Malaysia Airline Flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing and carrying 239 onboard was reported missing after the crew failed to check in as scheduled while flying over the sea between Malaysia and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, according to published reports. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Missing Malaysian Arliner Carrying 239 Passengers(136 of160)
BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 09: Malaysia Airline special assistance team members enter an area where relatives of passengers onboard Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 have gathered at Lidu Hotel on March 9, 2014 in Beijing, China. Flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing and carrying 239 onboard was reported missing after the crew failed to check in as scheduled while flying over the sea between Malaysia and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, according to published reports. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Search Continues For Missing Malaysian Arliner Carrying 239 Passengers(137 of160)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - MARCH 09: Datuk Hishamuddin Hussein, minister of transport, briefs the media about Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 on March 9, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing carrying 239 onboard was reported missing after the crew failed to check in as scheduled while flying over the sea between Malaysia and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, according to published reports. (Photo by How Foo Yeen/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A relative of Norliakmar Hamid and Razahan Zamani, passengers on a missing Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200 plane, cries at their house in Kuala Lumpur on March 8, 2014. Malaysia and Vietnam on March 8 led a search for a Malaysia Airlines jet that has gone missing over Southeast Asia, as fears mounted over the fate of the 239 people aboard. AFP PHOTO / MOHD RASFAN (Photo credit should read MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A woman (R) breaks down while leaving the reception centre for families and friends after an airliner went missing at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 8, 2014. Malaysia and Vietnam on March 8 led a search for a Malaysia Airlines jet that has gone missing over Southeast Asia, as fears mounted over the fate of the 239 people aboard. AFP PHOTO/ MANAN VATSYAYANA (Photo credit should read MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A woman talks on a phone at a reception centre for families and friends after an airliner went missing at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 8, 2014. Malaysia and Vietnam on March 8 led a search for a Malaysia Airlines jet that has gone missing over Southeast Asia, as fears mounted over the fate of the 239 people aboard. AFP PHOTO/ MANAN VATSYAYANA (Photo credit should read MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A woman talks on phone at a reception centre for families and friends after an airliner went missing at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 8, 2014. Malaysia and Vietnam on March 8 led a search for a Malaysia Airlines jet that has gone missing over Southeast Asia, as fears mounted over the fate of the 239 people aboard. AFP PHOTO/ MANAN VATSYAYANA (Photo credit should read MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A woman talks on the phone while leaving the reception centre for families and friends after an airliner went missing at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 8, 2014. Malaysia and Vietnam on March 8 led a search for a Malaysia Airlines jet that has gone missing over Southeast Asia, as fears mounted over the fate of the 239 people aboard. AFP PHOTO/ MANAN VATSYAYANA (Photo credit should read MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A woman displays the driver's licence of a friend who may be a passenger on board the missing Malaysia Airlines flight at a hotel in Beijing on March 8, 2014. Vietnam said March 8 rescue planes searching for a missing Malaysia Airlines jet carrying 239 passengers spotted two large oil slicks in the sea and it is sending boats to the area. AFP PHOTO / WANG ZHAO (Photo credit should read WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A man (C) thought to be a relative of a passenger of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight walks through a group of reporters at a hotel in Beijing on March 8, 2014. Vietnam said March 8 rescue planes searching for a missing Malaysia Airlines jet carrying 239 passengers spotted two large oil slicks in the sea and it is sending boats to the area. AFP PHOTO / WANG ZHAO (Photo credit should read WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 08: (CHINA OUT) A relative of a passenger onboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 cries at Lidu Hotel on March 8, 2014 in Beijing, China. Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing and carrying 239 onboard was reported missing after the crew failed to check in as scheduled while flying over the sea between Malaysia and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, according to published reports. (Photo by ChinaFotoPress/ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 08: (CHINA OUT) Joshua Law Kok Hwa (C), Malaysia Airlines' regional senior vice president of China, speaks at a conference regarding the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 at the Metropark Lido Hotel on March 8, 2014, in Beijing, China. Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing and carrying 239 onboard was reported missing after the crew failed to check in as scheduled while flying over the sea between Malaysia and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, according to published reports. (Photo by ChinaFotoPress/ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 08: (CHINA OUT) Joshua Law Kok Hwa (R), Malaysia Airlines' regional senior vice president of China, speaks at a conference regarding the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 at the Metropark Lido Hotel on March 8, 2014, in Beijing, China. Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing and carrying 239 onboard was reported missing after the crew failed to check in as scheduled while flying over the sea between Malaysia and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, according to published reports. (Photo by ChinaFotoPress/ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 08: (CHINA OUT) Joshua Law Kok Hwa (R2), Malaysia Airlines' regional senior vice president of China, speaks at a conference regarding the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 at the Metropark Lido Hotel on March 8, 2014, in Beijing, China. Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing and carrying 239 onboard was reported missing after the crew failed to check in as scheduled while flying over the sea between Malaysia and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, according to published reports. (Photo by ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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An airport worker writes on a sign board advising relatives of passengers of a missing Malaysia Airlines to go to a nearby hotel for information on the flight, at Beijing International Airport in Beijing on March 8, 2014. Malaysia and Vietnam on March 8 led a search for a Malaysia Airlines jet that has gone missing over Southeast Asia, as fears mounted over the fate of the 239 people aboard. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A man (C) thought to be a relative of a passenger of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight walks through a corridor at a hotel in Beijing on March 8, 2014. Rescuers from several nations mounted an air and sea search on March 8 for a Malaysia Airlines jet that has gone missing over Southeast Asia, with grave fears for the 239 people on board. AFP PHOTO / WANG ZHAO (Photo credit should read WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A man (C) thought to be a relative of a passenger of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight walks through a group of reporrters at a hotel in Beijing on March 8, 2014. Rescuers from several nations mounted an air and sea search on March 8 for a Malaysia Airlines jet that has gone missing over Southeast Asia, with grave fears for the 239 people on board. AFP PHOTO / WANG ZHAO (Photo credit should read WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 08: A relative of a passenger onboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 makes a phonecall at Lidu Hotel on March 8, 2014 in Beijing, China. Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing and carrying 239 onboard was reported missing after the crew failed to check in as scheduled while flying over the sea between Malaysia and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, according to published reports. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 08: A relative of a passenger onboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 is surrounded by the media at Lidu Hotel on March 8, 2014 in Beijing, China. Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing and carrying 239 onboard was reported missing after the crew failed to check in as scheduled while flying over the sea between Malaysia and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, according to published reports. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 08: A relative of a passenger onboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 is surrounded by the media at Lidu Hotel on March 8, 2014 in Beijing, China. Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing and carrying 239 onboard was reported missing after the crew failed to check in as scheduled while flying over the sea between Malaysia and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, according to published reports. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 08: A relative of a passenger onboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 makes a phonecall at Lidu Hotel on March 8, 2014 in Beijing, China. Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing and carrying 239 onboard was reported missing after the crew failed to check in as scheduled while flying over the sea between Malaysia and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, according to published reports. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 08: Media wait outside an area of the relatives of passengers onboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 cries at Lidu Hotel on March 8, 2014 in Beijing, China. Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing and carrying 239 onboard was reported missing after the crew failed to check in as scheduled while flying over the sea between Malaysia and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, according to published reports. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 08: A relative of a passenger onboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 cries at Lidu Hotel on March 8, 2014 in Beijing, China. Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing and carrying 239 onboard was reported missing after the crew failed to check in as scheduled while flying over the sea between Malaysia and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, according to published reports. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 08: Chinese people and media wait for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 at Beijing International Airport on March 8, 2014 in Beijing, China. Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing and carrying 239 onboard was reported missing after the crew failed to check in as scheduled while flying over the sea between Malaysia and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, according to published reports. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Liu Guohua, general manager of Malaysia Airlines in greater China, speaks at a press conference in Beijing on March 8, 2014. Malaysia and Vietnam on March 8 led a search for a Malaysia Airlines jet that has gone missing over Southeast Asia, as fears mounted over the fate of the 239 people aboard. AFP PHOTO / WANG ZHAO (Photo credit should read WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - MARCH 08: Malaysia Airline passenger jets are shown parked on the tarmac at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 8, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing carrying 239 onboard was reported missing after the crew failed to check in as scheduled while flying over the sea between Malaysia and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, according to published reports. (Photo by How Foo Yeen/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
“If you ask me what’s the probability this is related to the flight, without the satellite data it’s 25 or 30 per cent, but that’s certainly worth taking a very close look at.”
Although pings matching the frequency of those from a black box recorder were identified by search crews, no debris has been found.
Adding to the uncertainty is an account by a British yachtswoman who this week claimed she may have seen the missing plane on fire.
Katherine Tee was travelling across the Indian Ocean in May when she saw what she believed was a plane on fire crossing the night sky, trailing a plume of black smoke behind it.
She told the Phuket Gazette: “I saw something that looked like a plane on fire. That’s what I thought it was. Then, I thought I must be mad… It caught my attention because I had never seen a plane with orange lights before, so I wondered what they were.
“I could see the outline of the plane, it looked longer than planes usually do. There was what appeared to be black smoke streaming from behind it.”