A Malaysian Airlines representative said at a meeting in Beijing on Friday with relatives of Chinese passengers on flight MH730, that the jet – with 239 people on board - was equipped with four life rafts that could carry a total of 290 people.

The representative also said that the rafts contained flashlights which could help any survivors attract attention, and first-aid kits as well as enough water and food to sustain people for one week – assuming the plane did not end up at?the bottom the sea.

The Malaysian military is sending representatives to Beijing to meet the families of the passengers who are anxiously waiting for news of their loves ones, according to the company.