MH370: Pentagon has "indications" that the missing plane may be in the Indian Ocean

The official, however told ABC News that they needed 24 hours before the ship could be deployed to the area.

“We have indications that the airplane has crashed into the Indian Ocean,” said the official.

The individual also explained that there were also indications that the plane may have flown four to five hours after its last contact with radar.

US military base Diego Garcia is located at the Indian Ocean.

The revelation made by the official was following the statement made by acting Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein during a press conference on Thursday who denied earlier reports by The Wall Street Journal which reported that the plane may have flown several hours after its last contact.

Efforts of tracing the Boeing 777-200 started in the South China Sea before being expanded into the Straits of Malacca and later into the Andaman Ocean.

The search was expanded after evidence emerged showing that the plane may have turned back from its original route and was last traced at the north of Peninsula Malaysia near the Straits of Malacca.

“We are working closely with the FAA and NTSB in regards to the possibility of a turn back,” said Hishammuddin.

During Thursday’s press conference, Hishammuddin also denied reports of images which may have connection to the missing plane caught by the Chinese satellite in the South China Sea.