Two names listed on the manifest of the missing Malaysian Airlines flight match passports reported stolen in Thailand, foreign ministry officials in Rome and Vienna have confirmed.
Italy’s foreign ministry said that an Italian man whose name was listed as being on board the Boeing 777 is travelling in Thailand and was not on the plane.
A foreign ministry official confirmed Italian reports that Luigi Maraldi had reported his passport stolen last August.
Italian news agency Ansa said Mr Maraldi called home after hearing reports that an Italian with his name was on board the missing aircraft.
Austrian foreign ministry spokesman Martin Weiss confirmed that a name listed on the manifest matches an Austrian passport reported stolen two years ago in Thailand but he would not confirm the identity.
The US Navy has dispatched a warship to help the search.
The USS Pinckney, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, is on its way from international waters in the South China Sea to the southern coast of Vietnam to assist the hunt for flight MH370.
The Pinckney carries two helicopters which can be used for search and rescue. It is expected to reach the search area within 24 hours.
Additionally, the US Navy is deploying an Orion patrol and surveillance plane based in Okinawa. It will bring long-range search, radar and communications capabilities to the mission.