A massive search and rescue operation is under way for a missing Air Asia flight bound for Singapore from Indonesia which lost contact with air traffic control after flying through bad weather.
Fishing boats and official vessels were sent out by Indonesia’s national search and rescue authority, along with helicopters and Hercules aircraft from Singapore.
There is an unconfirmed report of a wreckage spotted east of Belitung Island in the Java Sea, 100 miles from where the plane was last tracked.
Boats have been sent from Tanjung Pandan, the largest town on Belitung Island, but are not expected to reach the area until midnight local time, due to inclement weather and sea conditions, reported The Sun Herald.
AirAsia flight QZ8501 departed Surabaya, in Indonesia, on Sunday at 5.30am local time, and was scheduled to land at Changi Airport, in Singapore, at 8.30am (Singapore local time).
The airline confirmed there were 155 passengers on board – including 138 adults, 16 children and 1 infant, and have also stated there were two pilots, four flight attendants and one engineer on board.
Nationalities of passengers and crew on-board are one Singaporean, one Malaysian, one French, three South Koreans and 156 Indonesians.
However, the British Foreign Office confirmed today that a British national was on board the flight. It is unclear if the person was a dual-citizen.
A spokesman confirmed the Briton’s next of kin had been informed and said: ‘Our thoughts are with the passengers’ families as they await further news.’
