An "electronic ping" was picked up from the Malaysia Airlines flight by satellites after the plane lost contact with ground control, Reuters reports. Meanwhile, US officials have been given an "indication" the plane crashed into the Indian Ocean.
A missing Malaysia Airlines flight was carrying 152 Chinese, 38 Malaysians, 12 Indonesians and seven Australians, the airline said today.
There were also three US citizens, three from France, two passengers each from New Zealand, Ukraine, and Canada, and one each from Italy, Taiwan, the Netherlands and Austria, Malaysia Airlines said in a statement. There were also three infants and twelve crew members on board.
Flight MH 370 left Kuala Lumpur at 12.21 am (1621 GMT Friday) and had been expected to land in Beijing at 06:30am (22:30 GMT) the same day.
A mother has described her frustration as she waits for answers on the fate of her missing son who is on board the missing Malaysia plane.
Malaysia's military believes a jetliner missing for almost four days turned and flew hundreds of kilometres to the west.
The wife of a passenger travelling on the missing Malaysia Airlines flight has spoken of her struggle to cope as she waits for news.