New lead shifts search for missing Malaysia plane

The search for missing Malaysia Airlines jetliner has moved to another area of the Indian Ocean due to a "credible lead", Australia says

28 March 2014, 8:18am

1 min read

The new area is closer to Western Australia and should allow for longer search periods

Australian authorities say the search area for the missing Malaysian airliner has shifted because of a "new credible lead."

The revised search area comes as the weather cleared Friday in the southern Indian Ocean to allow planes to hunt for fresh clues to the fate of the plane that went missing on 8 March.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority said it shifted the search 1,100 kms to the north after receiving a lead based on updated advice provided by an international investigation team in Malaysia.

The new area is 319,000 sq kms and about 1,850 kms west of Perth.

Australian officials have "examined this advice and determined that this is the most credible lead to where debris may be located," the AMSA said.