Day 509 — Suitcase found

Reports of a suitcase washing ashore at the same location as possible MH370 debris have emerged but as yet there is no confirmation the suitcase is linked to the earlier debris.

A local journalist tweeted a photograph of the latest discovery but there is no evidence that the tattered luggage is from the missing flight.

French language website linfo.re has reported that a gardener found the bag near where the debris was discovered.

This latest development comes as Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said the wreckage is “very likely from a Boeing 777”.

“Initial reports suggest that the debris is very likely to be from a Boeing 777, but we need to verify whether it is from flight MH370,” Najib said in a statement on his Facebook page.

Deputy PM Warren Truss described the discovery of wreckage as a “major lead” in the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines plane.

Mr Truss said a number seen on the piece of plane debris, BB670, is not a serial number but could be a maintenance number.