Reunion Island debris investigated for missing MH370 link

The large piece of debris washed ashore on Reunion Island could be be from the missing Malaysian airliner MH370.

The two metre-long chunk of has an identifying number and was found covered in shells on Wednesday morning.

Seashells growing on the wreckage indicate it has been in the water for some time. Credit: Reuters

Air accident investigators have a "high degree of confidence" that wreckage is from a Boeing 777 - the same type of aircraft as the doomed Malaysian Airlines plane, a US official said.

The source also told the Associated Press news agency that the chunk had been identified as a "flaperon" from a 777 wing.

A serial number on the debris could be the clue needed to find MH370. Credit: Reuters

"I have sent a team to verify the wreckage ... we hope that it can identify (the wreckage) as soon as possible," said Malaysia's Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai during a visit to the United Nations in New York.

More: MH370 families say they 'will never give up searching'