A search is underway between Malaysia and Vietnam for a Malaysia Airlines plane which vanished on a flight to Beijing, with 239 people on board.

Malaysia Airlines said in a statement that flight MH370 had disappeared at 02:40 local time on Saturday after leaving Kuala Lumpur.

The plane was expected to land in Beijing at 22:30 GMT.

Malaysia Airlines said in a statement:

“The families of all passengers on board MH370 are being informed. The flight was carrying a total number of 239 passengers and crew – comprising 227 passengers (including 2 infants) and 12 crew members.

“An international search and rescue mission was mobilized this morning. At this stage, our search and rescue teams from Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam have failed to find evidence of any wreckage.

“The sea mission will continue while the air mission will recommence at daylight.

“The passengers are of 14 different nationalities. All crew on-board are Malaysians.”