The massive search and rescue operation for missing Air Asia flight bound for Singapore from Indonesia has been halted until tomorrow due to fading light. Air Asia flight QZ8501 departed Indonesia for Singapore at 5.30am local time today, and lost contact 42 minutes into the flight after requesting to ascend to a higher altitude due to bad weather.
There were 162 people - including 17 children aboard the missing aircraft.
Fishing boats and official vessels has been sent out from the closest port to where the aircraft was last recorded, while Navy helicopters and rescue workers also searched the Java Sea for evidence of the aircraft.