CRI听力:Search Further Narrowed down as 122 Floating Objects Spotted

A French satellite scanning the southern Indian Ocean for remains of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has found a possible plane debris field containing over 120 objects.

News of this has come shortly after an Australian satellite detected two large objects and a Chinese satellite detected one in the same area.

CRI's Jordan Lee has more.

Reporter: The search for the missing jetliner is expected to be streamlined even further, as the search area has been further narrowed down following Wednesday's discoveries.

Malaysia's acting transport minister is Hishammuddin Hussein.

"MRSA analyzed the images and in one area of the ocean, measuring some 400 square kilometers, were able to identify 122 potential objects. Some objects were a meter in length, others were as much as 23 meters in length. Some of the objects appeared to be bright, possibly indicating solid material."

The new images captured by French satellites are in roughly the same area where Australian and Chinese air searches have spotted three large objects.

The latest satellite images, based on the large number of objects they show, are the first to suggest that a debris field from the plane may be floating in the area.

Three Chinese warships have reached the region, joining the multinational air searches led by Australia.

More Chinese military and civilian vessels are also on the way.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei.

"Currently, in the suspect area, besides an Australian supply ship there are no other ships or aircrafts searching for the debris. So after the Chinese vessels arrive, it will enhance the search effort performed with aircraft, which will help to find the floating objects."

In Kuala Lumpur, Chinese special envoy and Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui has met with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.

He has been dispatched to the Malaysian capital by President Xi Jinping to press authorities there to do everything possible to locate the missing plane.

Back here in Beijing, a high-level Malaysian delegation has briefed the families of the missing Chinese passengers on the latest developments.

The delegation has also been offered a further explanation of the announcement by the Malaysian prime minister about why Malay authorities believe the missing airliner went down in the southern Indian Ocean.

The briefing has been held behind closed doors, something the families of the missing say they didn't want.

"Well, they refused all the media to get in. We, the relatives, want all the media to get in because we think it would be a good thing. But they refuse and there is no reason this time."

A number of foreign and Chinese law firms with experience in airline accidents are now offering legal support for the families.

Malaysia Airlines has yet to discuss compensation.

But the company's chief insurer, Allianz, has begun the financial compensation process.

For CRI, I'm Jordan Lee.