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Aircraft debris thought to be from MH370 to be examined in Australia

Xinhua, July 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

A piece of possible aircraft debris which washed up on Pemba Island off the coast of Tanzania last month has arrived in Australia for examination, according to a joint statement from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) Malaysia.

The large piece was found by locals on the island on June 23, and is thought to be from a wing flap. The location at which the debris washed up is consistent with predicted MH370 debris drift modeling.

The ATSB released a statement late on Monday saying it would be investigated for any signs it is from the missing Boeing 777 jet.

"Malaysia and Australia have worked with Tanzanian officials to assume responsibility for the wing flap," the statement read.

The ATSB said other pieces of debris previously found in the region were determined to be "almost certainly" from the missing Malaysia Airlines jet, however, the investigation would go ahead before investigators make a statement regarding the origin of the "wing flap."

"To date, the ATSB has examined four pieces of debris on behalf of Malaysia and determined them to be almost certainly from MH370," the statement said.

"Technical specialists from the ATSB are working with Malaysian investigators to determine if it is from the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777, MH370."

Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 was a scheduled passenger service bound from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014. It disappeared with 239 passengers and crew on board. Endit