A Malaysian government spokesperson has officially declared the loss of flight MH370 was an accident and all on board are dead.

Speaking to journalists in Kuala Lumpur, the spokesperson said he gave the news with "the heaviest of hearts and deepest sorrow".

The declaration means the search for survivors has been called off, although it is believed the search for the plane will continue.

It will also now allow the families of those on board to obtain assistance for their claims for compensation.

"We officially declare Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 an accident and that all 239 of the passengers and crew onboard are presumed to have lost their lives," Malaysia's Department of Civil Aviation director-general Azharuddin Abdul Rahman said in a statement.

But Sarah Bajc, whose partner Philip Wood was on board the plane, rejectected the announcement.

"I think they are lying," she said. "It could very well be that the plane crashed. But there is no evidence, and until there is evidence we just can't believe them," she said, referring to the Malaysian government and airline.

"It is impossible to bring any closure until we have proof."

The plane vanished on Saturday March 8th 2014 during a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in China.

Mr Azharuddin said international search teams had spared no expense in their search for the plane. Every credible lead had been pursued and all available data that tracked the plane to a corner of the southern Indian Ocean had been reviewed.

Originally posted at 10.54am