Contact lost with Malaysia Airlines plane

Carrier says search-and-rescue team activated after flight carrying 239 people disappears en route to Beijing.

Last updated: 08 Mar 2014 01:13

The carrier said the Boeing 777-200 'lost contact with Subang Air Traffic Control at 2:40am local time' [AP]

A Malaysia Airlines flight carrying 239 people bound for Beijing has lost contact with air traffic control after leaving Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur, the carrier says.

The airline said in a statement that the passenger jet disappeared on Saturday at 2:40am local time (1840 GMT Friday).

The plane, a Boeing 777-200, left Kuala Lumpur just after midnight on Saturday, and had been due to arrive in the Chinese capital at 6:30am local time the same day.

In a media statement, Malaysia Airlines confirmed that "MH370 has lost contact with Subang Air Traffic Control at 2:40am" on March 8.

"Flight MH370, operated on the B777-200 aircraft, departed Kuala Lumpur at 12.41am on 8 March 2014. MH370 was expected to land in Beijing at 6.30am the same day. The flight was carrying a total number of 227 passengers (including 2 infants), 12 crew members.

"Malaysia Airlines is currently working with the authorities who have activated their Search and Rescue team to locate the aircraft.

"The airline will provide regular updates on the situation. Meanwhile, the public may contact +603 7884 1234 for further info."

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