Investigators probing missing flight MH370 collected more metallic debris on an Indian Ocean island on Sunday as Malaysia urged authorities in the region to be on alert for wreckage washing up on their shores.

Locals on Reunion Island have been combing the shores since a Boeing 777 wing part was found last Wednesday, sparking speculation that it may be the first tangible evidence that the Malaysia Airlines plane crashed into the Indian Ocean.

An AFP photographer saw police collect a mangled piece of metal inscribed with two Chinese characters and attached to what appears to be a leather-covered handle.