Malaysian authorities say satellite images showing a possible plane debris field of 122 objects in the Indian Ocean is "the most credible lead" they have in the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight 370.
The objects -- ranging in length from about 3 feet to 75 feet -- are located 1,500 miles from Australia, near the same area where another set of satellite images from last week showed an 80-foot object floating in the water.
A handful of countries have been combing the area by air and sea since the first set of satellite images showed two floating objects last week. The weather, however, has delayed search efforts over the past few days due to poor visibility. These most recent satellite images, which were replayed by French-based Airbus Defense and Space, were taken on March 23.
Six countries are now assisting in the search and recovery operation -- Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Japan, China and South Korea. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority says seven military and five civil aircraft will be involved in today’s search activities.
Search teams have a tough task at hand as this spot of the Indian Ocean is one of the worst places in the world to lose a plane due to chaotic seas that are stirred with massive waves, driven by winds that often exceed hurricane force.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Rajak said in a press conference on Monday that flight 370 "ended" in the Indian Ocean, effectively squashing speculation that survivors could still be alive. Shortly after, the families of the victims received a now-infamous text message saying their loved ones were dead. In return, the families of some of the victims issued a scathing statement, calling Malaysian authorities "executioners" and accusing them of murder.