MH370: 58 'Hard Objects' in Indian Ocean raise hopes

Kuala Lumpur, Sept 15: The search team based out of Australia, which had been deployed for searching the

plane

, has discovered 58 hard objects on the ocean bed, giving rise to hopes that the mystery may finally be solved.

Liow Tiong Lai, the Malaysian transport minister, said that Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC), which is leading the search operation is currently amidst retrieving the objects to be analysed.

He further said in a press conference,"We have only discovered 58 solid objects, but yet to learn if they are from (Malaysia Airlines) Flight MH370. We have to verify whether the objects are the plane's wreckage or hard rocks before coming to a conclusion."

He further informed that Malaysia's Petronas will be deploying the "Go Phoenix" vessel to assist in the search operation. The vessel is commonly used for oil exploration.

"Go Phoenix will help in the search mission, alongside Australia's Furgo Discovery ship to map the ocean floor," said Liow.

MH370 had mysteriously disappeared with 239 passengers, including crew members.

Earlier, the Australian authorities said that the hard spots were mere geographical features. Sonar surveys are being conducted in these remote patches of the southern Indian Ocean. Previously unexplored, these areas revealed volcanoes and other geographical features.

OneIndia News