KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 ― New satellite images have revealed more sightings of potential debris from the missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) jetliner MH370, this time showing 122 objects in the southern Indian Ocean.

Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the debris field was within 400 square kilometres and showed some “bright” objects, which could indicate that they are “solid material” from the missing aircraft.

“We cannot tell if they are from MH370. Nevertheless, this is another new lead that will help direct the search operation,” he said.

Hishammuddin explained that the images had come from the Airbus Defence and Space based in France and were taken on March 23.

The objects captured in the images ― which were first handed over to the Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (MRSA) ― were of various sizes and estimated to measure around 1m for smaller objects and up to 23m in length for the larger objects.

Hishammuddin said the area is some 2,567km off of Perth, Australia, and the authorities have managed to figure out the coordinates of the objects seen in the latest satellite images.

“MRSA’s findings were immediately forwarded to the Australian rescue coordination centre in Perth yesterday.

“I believe they (Australian authorities) have included in their calculations the possibility of drift (of the objects in the sea) and other challenges... yesterday the weather was the factor that held back the operations,” he said.

Hishammuddin noted that the Australia-led operation in the southern Indian Ocean has now been divided into the east and west sectors, with six planes deployed along with at least one ship in either sector.

An international working group has also been set up to further refine the data provided by satellite company Inmarsat ― which was used to narrow down the search area ― with the aim of accurately determining the final destination of flight MH370.

The working group includes experts from Inmarsat, the UK’s Air Accident Investigation Branch, the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the US National Transport Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing, Rolls Royce and the relevant Malaysian agencies.

“If we can use all the satellite technology, all the radar technology available, and the assets that we have drawn to the area... if it is confirm it is (debris from) MH370, at least we can go into the next stage of deep sea recovery, hoping against hope,” he said.

A map showing the location of unknown objects as reported by the Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (MRSA). ― Picture courtesy of MRSA