This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-26492748

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Malaysia Airlines loses contact with plane flying to Beijing Malaysia Airlines loses contact with plane flying to Beijing
(35 minutes later)
Malaysia Airlines says it has lost contact with a plane travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, with 239 people on board.Malaysia Airlines says it has lost contact with a plane travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, with 239 people on board.
The airline said in a statement that flight MH370 disappeared at 02:40 local time on Saturday (18:40 GMT on Friday).The airline said in a statement that flight MH370 disappeared at 02:40 local time on Saturday (18:40 GMT on Friday).
It had been expected to land in Beijing at 06:30 (22:30 GMT).It had been expected to land in Beijing at 06:30 (22:30 GMT).
"Malaysia Airlines is currently working with the authorities who have activated their search and rescue team to locate the aircraft," the carrier said."Malaysia Airlines is currently working with the authorities who have activated their search and rescue team to locate the aircraft," the carrier said.
"Our team is currently calling the next-of-kin of passengers and crew.""Our team is currently calling the next-of-kin of passengers and crew."
The Boeing B777-200 aircraft was carrying 227 passengers, including two children, and 12 crew members.The Boeing B777-200 aircraft was carrying 227 passengers, including two children, and 12 crew members.
"We deeply regret that we have lost all contacts with flight MH370 which departed Kuala Lumpur at 12.41 am earlier this morning bound for Beijing," said Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, Malaysia Airlines' group chief executive officer. In a brief press conference on Saturday, Malaysia Airlines chief executive Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said the company was still working to establish the location of the plane - including looking into reports that the aircraft has landed at Nanming in southern China.
He said the company was "deeply saddened" at the situation and that it would provide regular updates.
'Lost over Vietnam''Lost over Vietnam'
The passengers were of 13 different nationalities, the airline added. The passengers were of 14 different nationalities, he added.
Among them were 152 Chinese nationals, 38 Malaysians, 12 people from Indonesia and seven from Australia.
The pilot was Capt Zaharie Ahmad Shah, 53, who joined Malaysia Airlines in 1981, Mr Yahya said.
The flight went missing two hours after taking off from Kuala Lumpur.The flight went missing two hours after taking off from Kuala Lumpur.
China's Xinhua state news agency said it was lost in airspace controlled by Vietnam.China's Xinhua state news agency said it was lost in airspace controlled by Vietnam.
It said some 160 Chinese passengers were among the people on board.
The aircraft did not enter airspace controlled by China and did not make contact with Chinese controllers, the agency added.The aircraft did not enter airspace controlled by China and did not make contact with Chinese controllers, the agency added.
"We are very concerned learning this news," AFP quoted China's foreign ministry spokesman, Qin Gang, as saying. The arrivals board at Beijing International Airport is showing no expected arrival time, reports the BBC's John Sudworth at the terminal.
"We are contacting relevant authorities and are trying to confirm relevant information." Our correspondent says there does not appear to be many relatives of the passengers in the arrivals lounge, possibly because they have already been taken away to be looked after.
"This news has made us all very worried," AFP quoted Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as saying
"We hope every one of the passengers is safe. We are doing all we can to get more details."
Fuad Sharuji, Malaysian Airlines' vice president of operations control, told CNN that the plane was flying at an altitude of 35,000ft (10,700m) and that the pilots had reported no problem with the aircraft.Fuad Sharuji, Malaysian Airlines' vice president of operations control, told CNN that the plane was flying at an altitude of 35,000ft (10,700m) and that the pilots had reported no problem with the aircraft.
Malaysia Airlines has told the BBC it will be holding a press conference later on Saturday. "Our thoughts and prayers are with all affected passengers and crew and their family members," Malaysia Airlines said in ts statement.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all affected passengers and crew and their family members," said its statement.
The airline is the national carrier of Malaysia and one of Asia's largest, flying nearly 37,000 passengers daily to some 80 destinations worldwide.The airline is the national carrier of Malaysia and one of Asia's largest, flying nearly 37,000 passengers daily to some 80 destinations worldwide.
The route between Kuala Lumpur to Beijing has become more and more popular as Malaysia and China increase trade, says the BBC's Jennifer Pak in Kuala Lumpur.The route between Kuala Lumpur to Beijing has become more and more popular as Malaysia and China increase trade, says the BBC's Jennifer Pak in Kuala Lumpur.
The Boeing 777 had not had a fatal crash in its 20-year history until an Asiana plane came down at San Francisco airport in July 2014. Three teenage girls from China died in that incident.
Boeing said in a statement posted on Twitter: "We're closely monitoring reports on Malaysia flight MH370. Our thoughts are with everyone on board."