The Airbus A330 was travelling from Rio de Janeiro to Paris when the plane disappeared off the radar screens on Monday morning.

It is suspected that the plane may have encountered a technical fault while flying into stormy weather.

One man said authorities have confirmed that his brother, who has dual citizenship, was on the flight: “They just confirmed that he was on the plane. He had a South African passport and a German passport because he had been working in Germany for three years. It’s very difficult at this stage.”

He said his brother’s wife and three children are anxiously awaiting news.

Among those on board the flight are French, German, British and Brazilian citizens.

Airbus spokesman Linden Birns said the incident is puzzling as the A330 has never been in an accident before.

“The investigators will be looking at the history of the aircraft, its maintenance record and they’ll look at any previous radio transmissions that took place between the crew and air traffic control before contact was lost,” commented Burns.

Meanwhile, Brazilian pilots said they have seen what they suspected was a fire on the ocean near the missing plane’s route and military aircraft and warships have been sweeping the area.

Adding his comment was local journalist Harold Emert who said there is still some hope: “It’s very bleak but since no one remembers something like this ever happening in the area it still is possible that some survivors will be found.”

International relations authorities have been unavailable to comment on the matter.

Eyewitness News