Some of the loved ones of the 239 passengers and crew aboard missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 have reacted news that a large piece of debris - possibly from a Boeing 777 - has washed ashore on Reunion Island.

Zhang Qian, a 28-year-old, told Sky News her husband was on the plane when it disappeared in March 2014.

She said: "We heard the news last night, we were all very upset. For all those times, we deeply believed the plane has gone missing but our loved ones are still alive.

"Even now, I still don't believe that debris belongs to MH370, and the conclusion that the plane crashed into the ocean.

"I am just worried the official will give this conclusion in a rush for some reason – I can't accept it."

Jacquita Gonzales, whose partner Patrick Gomes was an inflight supervisor on the plane, said: "At the end of the day we all want the closure but we still cling onto hope.

"I still have my beliefs and if it's not MH370, we will still hope for the best.

"We also want our loved ones to come back home where they belong."

Another relative, Wang Guanyi, is waiting for official confirmation - as other discoveries of debris in the past have failed to bring loved ones the closure they need.

"There were talks about this new information last night - but many of us don't quite believe it yet," he told Sky News.

"For a long time, I've prepared myself for the worst, although I still hold a glimpse of hope.

"What I saw on the news is that they have discovered one big piece but there might be other debris somewhere. To confirm it takes time.

"I don't know how I'm going to react now, I'm waiting to see the official confirmation."

Of the 239 people on board Flight MH370 - which never arrived at its final destination, Beijing - 153 were Chinese.

Responding to the debris found, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said: "We are seeking further information to confirm the situation with relevant countries.

"China is going to pay close attention to the developments, and properly conduct follow-up works."