BEIJING, March 8 -- A Chinese coast guard vessel is rushing to the waters where a missing Malaysian plane may be located, said the State Oceanic Administration on Saturday evening.

Although the location of the plane is unknown, experts have speculated it is likely in waters off Vietnam or Malaysia.

Under an emergency response mechanism, the vessel, coded "3411", is sailing to this area at full speed, and is expected to arrive by Sunday afternoon.

Contact was lost with the plane, which was 239 people including more than 150 Chinese passengers, while it was en route to Beijing Saturday morning.