Malaysia Airlines Plane Headed to Beijing Carrying 239 People Missing

A Malaysia Airlines flight carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew members is missing hours after it lost contact with air traffic control and a search-and-rescue effort is underway, officials are reporting. Flight MH370 was scheduled to land in Beijing at 6:30 a.m. Saturday after taking off from Malaysia’s capital of Kuala Lumpur, but it never arrived, media reports say. It departed at 12:41 a.m. and lost contact about two hours later, officials are reporting. Officials also are reporting that at least three Americans are on board the flight along with passengers from China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, France, New Zealand, Ukraine, Canada, Russia, Taiwan, Italy, the Netherlands, and Austria. China’s official news agency is reporting that the plane apparently disappeared before it reached Chinese air space. The plane reportedly was a Boeing 777, the same type of aircraft involved in the Asiana Airlines incident which crashed-landed in San Francisco last year killing three. Chicago-based Boeing said in a Twitter fees, “We’re closely monitoring reports on Malaysia flight MH370. Our thoughts are with everyone on board.” Those seeking information on passengers are being told to call Malaysian airlines at +60-3-7884-1234.