"Wreckage is from a Boeing 777"

Experts: "Wreckage is from a Boeing 777"

Officials at Boeing have assessed photographs of the wreckage and agreed it is consistent with a 777 flaperon, part of the plane's wing, CNN reported citing sources close the investigation.

CNN added that there is a "unique element' to the Boeing 777 flaperon which is apparent in the photographs, although they did not elaborate on what the detail is.

The number BB670 visible on wing flap was likely to be a vital clue for authorities.

Malaysia sends investigation team

The Malaysian government has sent a team to investigate whether wreckage discovered off the coast of Africa could be from the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 plane.

The Malaysian transport minister confirmed an investigation team flew out Wednesday night.

Malaysia Airlines also released a statement yesterday, saying that it was "too premature for the airline to speculate the origin of the flaperon" found washed up on Reunion Island.

"With regards to the reports of the discovery of an aircraft flaperon at Reunion Island, Malaysia Airlines is working with the relevant authorities to confirm the matter," the statement added.

Last night investigators said the debris, discovered near to the island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean, was almost certainly that of a Boeing 777.