Brazilian aircraft have sighted debris on the Atlantic ocean, possibly from Air France flight 447 with 228 on board

Brazilian Air Force searching for debris from Air France 447

“Plane seats and other items were sighted 650km (400 miles) north-east of Brazil’s Fernando do Noronha island, the Brazilian air force said.

It could not be immediately confirmed that the debris came from the Airbus.

The jet was heading from Brazil to Paris when it vanished about four hours into its flight, early on Monday.

Air Force spokesman Jorge Amaral said the seats had been spotted by search planes early on Tuesday.

Also spotted were small white pieces of debris, material that may be metallic and signs of oil and kerosene, which is used as jet fuel.

“The search is continuing because it’s very little material in relation to the size [of the Airbus A330],” Mr Amaral added.

Officials, he said, needed “a piece that might have a serial number, some sort of identification” to be sure it came from the missing jet. ”

Story updated January 5, 2010 to correct broken links.

Air France 447 crash – debris spotted on Atlantic Ocean