Australian and Malaysian officials examine aircraft debris at the Australian Transport Safety Bureau headquarters in Canberra, Australia, July 20, 2016 after it was found on Pemba Island, located near Tanzania, in late June and was transported to Australia for examination. (Photo/Agencies)
Australian authorities have confirmed a wing part found in Tanzania is highly likely to be from missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 after expert examination from the Australian Transport and Safety Bureau.
Australian Transport Minister Darren Chester said in a statement on Friday that experts will continue to "assess what information can be determined" from the sixth fragment to be confirmed or "almost certainly" from the missing Boeing-777.
The piece however isn't enough to expand the search as its location was consistent with drift modelling affirming the current search area in the southern Indian Ocean.
China, Malaysia and Australia have confirmed the current search will be suspended once the remaining 10,000 square kilometers have been combed unless credible new evidence emerged about its specific location.
"We remain hopeful that the aircraft will be located in the remaining search area," Chester said.
The Beijing bound flight disappeared while en route from Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur on March 8, 2014 with 239 onboard, mostly Chinese nationals.
