Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370: French Satellites Spot 'Debris' In Indian Ocean

Images from French satellites showing unidentified debris in the Indian Ocean have become the latest focus in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

A series of satellite images showing debris in the Indian Ocean has concentrated efforts in an area of the Indian Ocean, in a southwest corridor from the plane's last known location in the Strait of Malacca.

"This morning, Malaysia received new satellite images from the French authorities showing potential objects in the vicinity of the southern corridor," said a statement on the Malaysian Ministry of Transport's Facebook page.

"Malaysia immediately relayed these images to the Australian rescue co-ordination centre."

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority said eight planes had been dispatched from Perth in western Australia on Sunday over a wider search area.

They include four civil aircraft and a US P8 Poseidon.

Two Chinese IL-76 search planes have arrived in Perth but have not yet been deployed. Japan is sending two P3 Orions.

Aircraft from New Zealand and the US are also involved in the search.

The Australian Navy's HMAS Success remains the only ship in the area involved in the search, though others from the US, UK and China are on the way.

Mike Barton, operations coordinator for Amsa, said that searchers were attempting to find a wooden cargo pallet and belts or straps spotted in the ocean, but cautioned they "could be anything".

Amsa said in a statement that today's search would focus on an area of 59,000 sq km (22,800 square miles). However, poor visibility may hamper efforts.