UPDATED: Sources Say That Aircraft Debris Was Found Near Indian Ocean

A map depicting the area in which the fragment was located (Map courtesy of Google Maps)
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

An investigation is underway near the Indian Ocean to determine the origins of what appears to be a part of an aircraft. In the afternoon (EST), reports began to surface that the BEA (France’s version of the NTSB) is investigating an aircraft fragment that appeared on a French Island.

According to French newspaper, Le Figaro,  cleaning staff on the island of Réunion found a piece of an airplane wing. At this time, investigators are still working to determine if this is actually a piece of a 777.


With this finding, speculation has surfaced that this piece could belong to MH370 which vanished on March 8th, 2014.

EXTRA: Malaysia Airlines Loses Track of a 777 After it Departs from Kuala Lumpur

UPDATED 8/5/15 at 3:00PM EST: The Malaysian Prime Minister has said that the piece of wreckage found on the island is definitely from MH370 (9M-MRO). More investigations on the island will continue. Currently, investigators are looking at a fragment of what appears to be a suitcase to determine if it is part of the MH370 wreckage.

We will continue to update you as more info becomes available. Follow us on Twitter for the most up-to-date information. 

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
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