Malaysia Airlines has 'lost contact' with plane carrying 239 people; Updated

A Boeing 777-200 reported to be carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew headed from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing cannot be reached.

MEDIA STATEMENT released at 7.24am/8 Mar 2014 – MH370 Incident – http://t.co/z8YfOEPlja

— Malaysia Airlines (@MAS) March 8, 2014

From the company’s Facebook post:

Malaysia Airlines confirms that flight MH370 has lost contact with Subang Air Traffic Control at 2.40am, today (8 March 2014).

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.

Updates:

Last contact with #MH370 was in #Vietnam controlled airspace according to authorities.

— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) March 8, 2014

JUST IN: Malaysia Airlines reports calls are being made to next of kin of all passengers and crew, according to statement.

— Ryan Parker (@TheRyanParker) March 8, 2014

"Our team is currently calling the next of kin of passengers and crew." @MAS statement: https://t.co/S5aqEMz2W6

— melissa block (@NPRmelissablock) March 8, 2014

We are aware of reports of the loss of Malaysia MH370, a Boeing 777-200 and are monitoring the situation.

— NTSB (@NTSB) March 8, 2014

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Reports that plane landed anywhere is not true VP of Malaysia Airlines says. Plane remains missing.

— Shimon Prokupecz (@ShimonPro) March 8, 2014

RT @MalcolmMoore: Police at Beijing airport directing journalists & relatives to Lido hotel for info on #MH370 flight pic.twitter.com/bLk2zi8Yyq

— Hope Hollenbeck (@HopeLHollenbeck) March 8, 2014

https://twitter.com/passantino/status/442137354023620609
https://twitter.com/ChannelNewsAsia/status/442145645286019072

* * *

Yahoo Singapore is reporting that the Vietnam navy confirms the flight crashed into the ocean.

Vietnam media now reporting their navy has confirmed that #MalaysiaAirlines flight #MH370 crashed into the ocean. #PrayForMH370

— Yahoo Singapore (@YahooSG) March 8, 2014

Twitchy will continue to update this post when more details are known.