...............Updated...........Oh this is sad........................................

(CNN) -- A French passenger aircraft carrying 228 people has disappeared off the coast of Brazil, airline officials say.

A file photo shows an Air France jet on take off. Some 228 passengers are aboard the missing aircraft.

Air France told CNN the jet was traveling from Rio de Janeiro to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris when contact was lost.

The airline said flight AF447 was carrying 216 passengers in addition to a crew of 12. The aircraft is listed as an Airbus A330.

State radio reported a crisis center was being set up at Charles de Gaulle where the plane had been due to land at 11.15 a.m. local time.

Reports said an air force search and rescue operation was underway around the Brazilian island of Fernando de Noronha, 365 kilometers (226 miles) off the mainland.


This is so sad.............. fingers crossed it is lost communications but this probably won't end well.

Sad.

It looks almost confirmed now that this plane crashed into the Atlantic.

Our thoughts go out to the families and loved ones of those lost.

So sad.