New Delhi, March 12 (IANS): President Pranab Mukherjee Wednesday expressed deep concern and sympathy over the missing Malaysia Airline flight.

"On behalf of the government and people of India and on my own behalf, I wish to convey our deep concern and sympathy to the government of Malaysia and to the families of those who were aboard the Malaysia Airline flight," Mukherjee said in a message to the King of Malaysia.

"In addition to the many Malaysians and other nationalities, five Indian nationals were also on board the flight," he added.

Mukherjee also said that Indian officials have been in constant contact with the concerned Malaysian authorities in this regard.

"We appreciate the efforts of the government of Malaysia to locate the missing aircraft and are ready to provide any help needed," he said.

"Our sympathies and prayers are with the families of those on that flight and we pray for those people," he added.

The Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 with 239 passengers and crew on board vanished mysteriously without a trace about an hour after taking off from Kuala Lumpur early Saturday.

The Boeing 777-200ER took off from Kuala Lumpur at 12.41 a.m. Saturday and was due to land in Beijing at 6.30 a.m. the same day. The 227 passengers on the flight included five Indians, 154 Chinese and 38 Malaysians.