AirAsia plane could be 'lying at the bottom of the sea'.

The head of Indonesia's search and rescue team said AirAsia flight QZ8501 is likely "lying at the bottom of the sea".

Graphics: Channel News Asia

AFP quoted the head of Indonesia's search force as saying that the AirAsia plane is likely "lying at the bottom of the sea".

"Based on the coordinates and assessments, the estimated accident location is at sea, and the current hypothesis is that the aircraft is lying on the seabed," Bambang Soelistyo, head of Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency, said at a press conference.

"These are initial suspicions, and they may develop further based on the evaluation of results during the search process."

9:33 AM:AFP quoted the head of Indonesia's search force as saying that the AirAsia plane is likely "lying at the bottom of the sea".

"Based on the coordinates and assessments, the estimated accident location is at sea, and the current hypothesis is that the aircraft is lying on the seabed," Bambang Soelistyo, head of Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency, said at a press conference.

"These are initial suspicions, and they may develop further based on the evaluation of results during the search process."

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9:02Indonesian officials held a press conference at Surabaya airport.

A Singapore Navy vessel participates in the search operation for QZ8501. Photo: Republic of Singapore Navy.

Sigit Setiayana, commander of the Indonesian Air Force Center at Surabaya Air Base, said 12 naval vessels, five aircraft, three helicopters, and numerous warships are participating in the search. Ships and aircraft from Singapore and Malaysia are also involved. “God bless us so we find it soon,” he told AP.

8:10

Location of Belitung Island. Graphic: ABC News

An Indonesian air force official said, "We are focusing our search in the waters east and north of Belitung Island." Belitung is located off the eastern coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, in the Java Sea.

8:06The Indonesian military's search and rescue team in Manggar, East Belitung, Indonesia, is notifying local fishermen to assist in the search.

The Australian Air Force has deployed an AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft to support the search for Indonesia's QZ8501 aircraft. The AP-3C Orion departed Darwin early this morning.

An AP-3C Orion aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force. Photo: RAAF.

8:00 AMThe latest announcement from AirAsia states that there were 155 passengers on flight QZ8501, including 137 adults, 17 children, and 1 infant. The crew consisted of two pilots, four flight attendants, and an engineer.

The captain is an experienced pilot with 20,537 flight hours. The co-pilot has 2,275 flight hours specifically with AirAsia Indonesia.

7:56Aircraft and crews from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia will participate in the search and location search operation on the second day after QZ8501 went missing.

7:51

Tracking the flight path of the plane with the same flight number as the missing aircraft, which landed safely at Changi. Photo: Channel News Asia

Channel News Asia reported that the flight from Surabaya to Singapore, using the same flight number QZ8501 as the missing plane, landed safely at Changi Airport this morning.

7:50Up to 200 people were deployed across four areas in yesterday's search operation, Indonesian officials said.

07:26

Rescue operations resumed as day broke in Surabaya, Indonesia. Photo: Channel News Asia

Indonesian authorities resumed their search for the AirAsia plane that went missing yesterday morning, according to a reporter from Indonesia's TV1 channel. The reporter was on board a military search plane.

The Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency said seven ships and two helicopters were ready to depart early this morning, according to CNN. Those involved in the operation said weather could be a factor affecting the progress of the work. High waves and fog hampered yesterday's search efforts.

An unnamed Indonesian transport ministry official said the country would lead the investigation into the crash. "The plane was registered in Indonesia and appears to have gone missing in Indonesian territory, so we will take the lead in the investigation," the official said.

Meanwhile, Singapore said it had sent two naval vessels to assist Indonesian forces in the search for the Airbus A320-200. A C-130 aircraft also joined the search yesterday, according to Reuters.

Malaysia will send three naval vessels and a C0130 aircraft, Channel News Asia reported. The US, UK, Australia, South Korea, and India have also offered to assist Indonesia in the search for the plane, ranging from deploying search aircraft and naval vessels to providing experts and conducting investigations.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said the people of his country are praying for the safety of the passengers and crew. In a speech at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, Pope Francis said he was praying for those on board the missing flight.

Flight QZ8501, carrying 162 people, lost contact yesterday morning while en route from Surabaya to Singapore. Prior to that, the pilot requested an increase in altitude and deviated from the usual flight path due to bad weather. The Indonesian Vice President stated that the plane may have crashed.

According to VNE