Flight from Indonesia to Singapore goes missing
(chinadaily.com.cn) Updated: 2014-12-29 10:26Missing AirAsia flight had asked to fly at higher altitude to avoid clouds: Indonesian official
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Heavy thunderstorms where AirAsia #QZ8501 was flying, says CNN meteorologist Derek Van Dam.
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The Indonesian air force has said it is using the last known point of contact with the plane as the basis for its search. The Singapore rescue coordination centre, the Singapore air force and Singapore navy are assisting, according to the Guardian.
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Obama briefed on missing AirAsia flight 8501 and White House officials will continue to monitor situation: White House spokesman.
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Indonesian media outlet Kompas is reporting that the plane crashed in Belitung, an island between Java and Sumatra. The report is unconfirmed, says the Guardian.
The paper adds that East Belitung Water Police are "currently coordinating with local fishermen to determine which boats have passed through the areas in which the plane might have crashed."
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"At the present time we unfortunately have no further information regarding the status of the passengers and crew members on board, but we will keep all parties informed as more information becomes available," an AirAsia statement says.
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An official with the transport ministry, Hadi Mustofa, told local media the plane lost contact over the Java sea, which lies between Surabaya and Singapore.
Search and rescue operation launched after the flight goes missing. - BBC reports quoting Malaysian officials
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Malaysia's Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai is expected to hold a news conference on the missing flight at Kuala Lumpur International Airport soon.
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At this time, search and rescue operations are in progress and AirAsia is cooperating fully and assisting the rescue service. AirAsia has established an Emergency Call Centre that is available for family or friends of those who may have been on board the aircraft. The number is: +622129850801. AirAsia will release further information as soon as it becomes available. Updated information will also be posted on the AirAsia website, www.airasia.com.
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The plane is carrying seven crew and 155 passengers - 138 adults, 16 children and a baby. - ABC News
11:30 am, Dec 28 Beijing Time
An AirAsia flight from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore lost contact with air traffic control on Sunday, Indonesian media said, citing a Transport Ministry official.
Transport Ministry official Hadi Mustofa said the aircraft, flight number QZ8501, lost contact with the Jakarta air traffic control tower at 6:17 am local time. (2317 GMT).
He said the plane had asked for an unusual route before it lost contact.
