KUALA LUMPUR: An aircraft has reportedly crashed off the east coast of Sumatera, in the waters of East Belitung.
This report came after authorities confirmed that AirAsia Flight QZ8501 went missing earlier today.
An Indonesian news portal Bangka Pos had quoted an official from H.A.S Hanandjoeddin Tanjungpandan Airport in Indonesia, Suparno, said the exact location of the crash site has not been identified.
The portal also reported that the Indonesian national search and rescue agency (Basarnas) team from Bangka Belitung were heading to East Belitung waters.
"We will immediately head to East Belitung by sea," said Basarnas Commander Joni Superiadi to Bangka Pos.
The AirAsia flight QZ8501 was scheduled to arrive at 8.30am in Singapore from Surabaya, Indonesia, when the Jakarta Air Traffic Control lost contact at 7.54am.