Malaysia Airlines Flight 370: Search area location to remain secret pending government approval

PERTH, Australia, June 24 (UPI) -- As the search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 continues, Australian authorities said Tuesday that the new search area's location will not be released to the public until approval is granted by the Malaysian government.

Commissioner Martin Dolan with the Australian Transport Bureau said Tuesday that "before we release, we have to talk with the Malaysians who are responsible for the overall investigation."

The ATSB is the lead agency for the underwater search of the missing plane.

Australia's Joint Agency Coordination Center earlier stated that "The search area will be confirmed before the end of June, after completion of extensive collaborative analysis by a range of specialists."

Dolan predicted that the Malaysian government would respond to the request for release of the information by Wednesday.

MH370 disappeared over southeast Asia on March 8 after departing Kuala Lumpur en route to Beijing. No trace has yet been found of the missing plane or any of the 239 people aboard.