Suspected MH370 debris found on island nation of Mauritius

(CNN)  A piece of debris thought to be from the Malaysian airliner that went missing more than two years ago over the Indian Ocean has been found in the island nation of Mauritius.

The debris suspected to be from Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which vanished in March 2014 with 239 people on board, was found Thursday on the coast of Rodrigues Island, an employee of the Mourouk Ebony Hotel, where the debris was stored for safekeeping, told CNN.

Jean Josie Milazare said two hotel guests, Jean Dominique and Suzy Vitry, from La Reunion, found a piece of debris on the beach. Milazare said police now have the debris.

Malaysian authorities expected to lead investigation

Mauritius, a volcanic island nation in the Indian Ocean that is a bit over 10 times the size of Washington, D.C., is known for its beaches, lagoons and reefs. It lies about 700 miles east of Madagascar, in the Indian Ocean.

Debris thought to be from MH370 was found on Reunion, an island southwest of Mauritius, last July. And another piece of debris thought to be from the missing airliner was found on a sandbar off Mozambique in February.

Dan O'Malley, a spokesman for the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, said Australian authorities were aware of the debris found on Rodrigues Island, but he expected Malaysian authorities to take the lead in the investigation.