U.S. Coast Guard suspends search for Ontario air ambulance that went missing over the Atlantic Ocean

The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for the crew and passengers of the Ontario air ambulance that went missing Saturday.

"Suspending a search is not an easy decision," Rear Adm. Matt Lake, commander of the northeast district, said in a press release on Sunday evening. "We express our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones affected by the tragedy and our gratitude for our partner agencies who helped support search efforts."

Search crews had searched 4,445 miles (7,154 kilometres) over approximately 66 hours, according to the update.

"A future investigation into the cause of the incident will be coordinated by the appropriate investigative authorities," the update added.

An HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod

An HC-130 Hercules crew from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod

47-foot Motor Lifeboat crews from Coast Guard Station Brant Point

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter William Sparling, a Boston-based Fast Response Cutter

Two HH-60 helicopter crews from the New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing

An HC-130 aircraft from the New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing

This is a breaking news update. The original story follows.

The search for the six people missing — including four Canadians — "remains ongoing," the U.S. Coast Guard shared in a press conference held in Boston on Sunday morning.

Lake said the U.S. Coast Guard's response began around 2 a.m. on Saturday after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) sent a notification that contact with the aircraft had been lost.

"Our priority is to find the six personnel on that aircraft," he told reporters, adding that finding the jet's black box is the next step in the search.

"We've also been keeping next of kin notified with the progress of our search efforts."

Capt. John McTamney, chief of response for the northeast district, said the weather has been favourable from a search perspective. He added the debris field that was found on Saturday was about 20 miles (32 kilometres) off the coast of Nantucket, an island southeast of Boston.

"We'll continue to search and saturate the area until we're at the point where we are confident that, if there were any survivors on the surface of the water, we would've found them," he said.

Lt. Kastriot Kastrati, search and rescue mission coordinator, said the exact number of items recovered from the debris field so far isn't exact.

"It's very difficult to get into the details of what's there" due to the size and amount of debris in the field, he said, adding that "right now, we're really just focused on finding the people."

Lake added that: "Our thoughts go out with the members on the aircraft, as well as their families and friends."

Search crews find 'debris field'

The Coast Guard shared a press release on Saturday evening that search crews discovered debris "confirmed to be from the aircraft." The search efforts were scheduled to continue overnight with the CGC cutter William Sparling.

The aircraft, a Gulfstream G100 jet with the tail number C-GRJP, took off from Bermuda's L.F. Wade International Airport on Friday evening and was scheduled to land at Boston Logan International Airport early Saturday. It's one of four operated by Latitude Air Ambulance, a Hamilton, Ont.-based company.

FlightAware data shows the jet took off at 11:41 p.m. ET on Friday and was scheduled to arrive at 1:25 a.m. ET. After 1 a.m. on Saturday, the data indicates a significant drop from 24,000 feet to 11,000 feet before it lost contact.

Four Canadians — two pilots and two medical staff — were on board. The two others are Bermudian nationals, including a patient and their relative.

What Canadian, Bermudian officials are saying

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand took to social media on Sunday morning, noting she's "deeply concerned" by the aircraft's disappearance.

"Global Affairs Canada consular officials are in contact with the relevant authorities as search and rescue efforts continue," she wrote."My thoughts are with everyone on board and their loved ones. I thank the U.S. Coast Guard and all those involved in the search and rescue efforts for their tireless work."

Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon took to social media on Saturday afternoon, saying the Canadian government is keeping an eye on the situation.

"My thoughts are with everyone on board, as well as their families, loved ones and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time," he wrote on Saturday afternoon."We are closely monitoring the situation and are working with the relevant authorities as search and rescue efforts continue. I want to thank all first responders involved for their ongoing efforts."

The Government of Bermuda confirmed the news of the missing aircraft on Saturday morning.

"My thoughts are with everyone on board and their families during this deeply worrying time," Premier David Burt said in a statement. "We are praying that all six people will be found safe, and we thank the search and rescue crews for their continuing efforts."