DHAKA: The next phase of the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has begun in the southern Indian Ocean.

A ship equipped with specialised sonar technology has arrived in a remote stretch of ocean where the plane is believed to have ended its flight.

The Boeing 777, with 239 people on board, went missing after it veered radically off course on 8 March.

Its whereabouts are still unknown despite a massive international air-and-sea search operation.

Australian officials believe the plane was flying on autopilot when it crashed.

Using satellite data, officials have concluded that the airliner ended its journey in the Indian Ocean, north-west of the Australian city of Perth, reports the BBC.

BDST: 1652 HRS, OCT 06, 2014