MH370: End of MH370 based on best available data

The data presented by British satellite Inmarsat and the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch is currently the best information that the Malaysian authorities have to come to the conclusion that flight MH370 ended its journey in the southern Indian Ocean.

Australian Defence Minister David Johnston, who said this, also stressed that the objects found by the Australian P3 Orion on Monday has not been confirmed to have originated from MH370.

He said more investigation has to be done to verify the source of the objects.

Australian Defence Force vice-chief Mark Binkin, echoed this fact but also added that as the recovery process continues, more light will be shed on the details of what actually happened.

Mark Binkin, Vice Chief of the Defence Force briefing the press at the Pearce Royal Australian Air Force base

They will continue with the recovery process with the collaboration of the many nations that have offered assistance. However, the huge task is still quite a challenge.

"This isn't about looking for a needle in a haystack. We're actually still looking for the haystack," he analogised.

All recovery missions today by the aircrafts out of Perth have been suspended for 24 hours due to bad weather in the search location. Vessels that are already there have also been asked to pull back.

Johnston also informed that Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot has declared that the visa fee for families of the passengers on MH370 will be waived if and when they come to Australia.

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, last night, declared that there flight MH370 ended in the Southern Indian Ocean and that all 239 people on boared are assumed to be dead.