The families of those lost in Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 will be given every assistance by the Australian government to travel to Australia, if and when any wreckage is found, local media reported Tuesday.

Australian Defense Minister David Johnston told the Australia's Fairfax radio that the prime minister was concerned about those families and wanted to help them.

"I know the prime minister is very, very concerned that we extend every possible courtesy," he told Fairfax radio.

"They have had an emotional roller-coaster for two weeks, my heart goes out to them.

"We will do everything we can to give them some semblance of closure, in what we now know is a very serious disaster."

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has announce in Kuala Lumpur that new data showed the plane with 239 people on board had crashed into the southern Indian Ocean, following its disappearance more than two weeks ago.

"It is therefore with deep sadness and regret that I must inform you that in light of this new data, MH370 flight ended in the southern Indian Ocean," he said in a statement.

Malaysia Airlines said it would help the families to travel to Australia once they receive approval from the investigating authorities.

"Arrangements will be made to bring the families to the recovery area, and until that time we will continue to support the ongoing investigation," it said in a statement.



The search for debris in the ocean, southwest of Perth, was suspended on Tuesday due to bad weather.