Fears for plane as contact lost

A Malaysia Airlines flight carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew lost contact with air traffic controllers early on Saturday en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, the airliner said in a statement.

"Malaysia Airlines is currently working with the authorities who have activated their search-and-rescue teams to locate the aircraft," it said.

Flight MH 370 operating a B777-200 aircraft departed Kuala Lumpur at 12:21 am (1421 GMT Friday) and had been expected to land in Beijing at 6:30 am (2230 GMT) the same day. The flight lost contact with air traffic control at 2:40 am.

Malaysia Airlines is currently working with authorities who have activated their search and rescue team to locate the aircraft.