Five Britons were on board a passenger airliner that vanished over the Atlantic.

A list posted on the Air France website said the Britons were among 228 people on board the Airbus A330 flying from Rio de Janeiro to Paris.

Three Irish nationals were also on board.

The passenger list also includes 61 French and 58 Brazilians among the 32 nationalities on board.

The landing gear, fuel systems and wings on the A330 jet were made by Airbus in Filton.

In a statement Air France said: "Air France is in a position to confirm the nationalities of the passengers who were on board the flight AF447 of May 31, 2009, which disappeared between Rio de Janeiro and Paris Charles de Gaulle.

"This list was created from information given by the Brazilian authorities."

It added: "Air France sends its sincere condolences to the families and friends of the passengers and crew members.

"Air France will do everything it can to support the families and friends. Medical and psychological assistance has been provided at Paris Charles de Gaulle and Rio de Janeiro airports."

Among the passengers are known to be a baby and seven children.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy tonight said there was a "very small" chance of finding survivors.

The aircraft had run into stormy weather with strong turbulence about four hours into the flight.

About 15 minutes after the turbulence message, an automatic message was received from the plane – AF447 – indicating a failure in the electrical circuit.

The Irish government said three young Irish women were travelling on board along with a British woman from Wales.

The women, all in their mid-20s, were from Dublin, Roscrea in Co Tipperary and Belfast. The Belfast woman is understood to have been living in Dublin.

The families of the Irish nationals have been informed.

An Air France spokeswoman said the 12 crew on board were all French.

In a statement, Airbus said: "Airbus has offered full technical assistance to the investigation board. The investigation remains the entire responsibility of the relevant board and it would be inappropriate for Airbus to enter into any form of speculation into the causes of the accident.

"The concerns and sympathy of the Airbus employees go to the families, friends and loved ones affected by the accident."