The search for the missing MH370 passenger jet in the Indian Ocean has brought 122 "potential objects" into light through new satellite images, Malaysian officials said on Wednesday.
According to Agence France-Presse, circled around a 160-square-mile area, Airbus Defense and Space in France images reveal the various objects in the ocean, Hishammuddin Hussein, Transport Minister, said.
However, it couldn't be confirmed whether the objects belonged to the missing Boeing 777, Hishammuddin told a daily press conference.
"Nevertheless, this is another new lead that will help direct the search operation," he said.
Following the disappearance of the Malaysian airliner more than two weeks ago, earlier satellite data from Australia, China and France have shown possibly related debris in different parts of the ocean over the days.
However, nothing substantial has been retrieved during the huge multinational search.
The new Airbus images, taken on Sunday, were received Tuesday and immediately forwarded to the Australian agency coordinating the search, Hishammuddin said.
After analyzing the satellite images, 122 "potential objects" were identified by the Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency, he said.
Some objects have been reported to be a meter in length, with others being measured as long as 23 meters, AFP reported.
"Some of the objects appeared to be bright, possibly indicating solid materials," the minister said.
As the search efforts have been focused on waters far to the southwest of Australia, the objects were found about 1,600 miles from Perth, AFP reported.
The missing MH370, with 239 passengers aboard, has been the subject of constant speculation since its disappearance. Headed to Beijing, Flight 370 was on its way from Kuala Lumpur when it suddenly vanished over Southeast Asia.
On Monday, the missing Malaysia Airlines plane was announced to have plunged into a remote corner of the Indian Ocean by the Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak after new indications of satellite data analysis, the Associated Press reported.
