Malaysia has sought assistance from India to trace its missing aircraft with 239 people on board. This follows an offer for assistance from India. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said, New Delhi is coordinating with them about the nature and type of support.

He said, the government is appointing designated people to deal with the issue and also take forward the process of sharing information in this regard.

Meanwhile, Indian Air Force spokesperson Gerard Galway told AIR that IAF has kept its aircraft on standby for taking part in the search operations, if needed, for locating the missing plane.

President Pranab Mukherjee in a message to the King of Malaysia conveyed his deep concern and sympathy over the missing plane. He said, Indian officials are in constant touch with their Malaysian counterparts in this regard and are ready to provide any required help.

Our Correspondent reports, the Beijing-bound Malaysia Airlines Boeing-777 plane with 239 people on board, including five Indians, vanished over the South China Sea on Friday, one hour after taking off from Kuala Lumpur.