Two objects seen on satellite images could potentially be linked to the missing Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777, according to officials in Australia.
Aircraft and ships from Australia, New Zealand and the US are heading to the area 1,550 miles southwest of Perth to search for the objects.
The largest appeared to be 24m in size, maritime authorities said, but warned they could be unrelated to the MAS aircraft.
Australian prime minister Tony Abbott announced the discovery of the objects in parliament.
“The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (Amsa) has received information based on satellite information of objects possibly related to the search,” he said.
“Following specialist analysis of this satellite imagery, two possible objects related to the search have been identified.”
Australia informed Malaysian authorities of the development this morning.
Amsa has been searching in the southern Indian Ocean for the aircraft which disappeared on March 8 on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people on board.