All 157 people on-board an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 passenger jet have been killed after the plane crashed.
The airline crashed on its way from Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa to Nairobi in Kenya.
A statement from the airliner said the jet had 149 passengers and eight crew members on board.
The victims were from 33 nationalities.
Minister of transport Kenya: There were at least 35 nationalities. Kenya had 32 passengers onboard. Others Canada, China, Dutch, Ethiopia France UK, ITALY, SLOVAKIA, US. #SABCNews
— Sarah Kimani (@sarahkimani) March 10, 2019
According to the statement the crash happened at 08.44 local time on Sunday. It happened shortly after take-off from Addis Ababa.
BREAKING First picture released from Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 crash site – no survivors – 149 passengers and eight crew on board https://t.co/tPbTTp2UBA pic.twitter.com/R9HwBj52Wd
— AIRLIVE (@airlivenet) March 10, 2019
A search effort was launched around the crash site in Bishoftu.
“Ethiopian Airlines staff will be sent to the accident scene and will do everything possible to assist the emergency services,” the statement added.
Accident Bulletin no. 1
Issued on march 10, 2019 at 11:00am
Ethiopian Airlines will release further information as soon as it is available. Updated information will also be on Ethiopian Airlines website at https://t.co/Je7pXoKxHh pic.twitter.com/07wKZHPVPl— Ethiopian Airlines (@flyethiopian) March 10, 2019
The Swedish-based flight tracking organisation, flightradar24 said “Data from Flightradar24 ADS-B network show that vertical speed was unstable after take off.”
Boeing Statement on Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302: https://t.co/0jyiFuGHIE pic.twitter.com/NfE5S4LSlz
— Boeing Airplanes (@BoeingAirplanes) March 10, 2019
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister has sent out his condolences to families of those on-board the flight.
The Office of the PM, on behalf of the Government and people of Ethiopia, would like to express it’s deepest condolences to the families of those that have lost their loved ones on Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 on regular scheduled flight to Nairobi, Kenya this morning.
— Office of the Prime Minister – Ethiopia (@PMEthiopia) March 10, 2019
Other leaders have sent in their condolences.
We are saddened by the news of an Ethiopian Airlines passenger aircraft that is reported to have crashed 6 minutes after takeoff en route to Kenya. My prayers go to all the families and associates of those on board.
— Uhuru Kenyatta (@UKenyatta) March 10, 2019
I have, with sadness, received news about the crash of the Ethiopian Airlines flight which was destined for Nairobi from Addis Ababa. On Uganda’s behalf, I send heartfelt prayers and condolences to all those affected by this tragedy.
— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) March 10, 2019
The Ethiopian airline is considered one of the best on the continent.
It flies often to various parts of the continent serving thousands of travelers.
In 2010 though it recorded a major crash in the Mediterranean Sea, killing 90 people on board a jet.
Source: Africafeeds.com
