Ethiopian Airlines crash: All 157 on board killed, claims report
What's the story
On Sunday, an Ethiopian Airlines flight crashed with 149 passengers and eight crew members aboard. All 157 people on board lost their lives, reports NDTV.
The Boeing-737'>Boeing 737 flight was bound for Kenya's capital, Nairobi, from Addis Ababa. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones.
A spokesperson confirmed the flight crashed at 8:44 AM.
Statement
Airlines released statement, but didn't comment on fatalities
Revealing more about the accident, Ethiopian Airlines in a statement said the flight ET 302 took off from Bole International Airport at 8:38 AM local time. The authorities lost contact with the fateful aircraft at 8:44 AM.
Initially, the airlines didn't comment on survivors or fatalities and added team would be sent to the site.
"Search and rescue operations are underway," the statement read.
Twitter Post
Flight went off radar soon after take off
Ethiopian Airlines flight #ET302 dropped from radar 6 minutes after departure from Addis Ababa
— Alex Macheras (@AlexInAir) March 10, 2019
The jet is a brand new Boeing 737 MAX 8 - delivered to the airline just four months ago. pic.twitter.com/o01HDgEI16
Details
Help center for family of passengers would be set up
A passenger information center and telephone number have been set up to assist friends and family of passengers on board, the airlines said.
Reportedly, the flight ET 302 crashed near the town of Bishoftu, which is about 62 kilometers away from Addis Ababa.
The aircraft was scheduled to reach Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 10:25 AM.
Twitter Post
Here are the important numbers
Airport emergency hotline
— Ethiopian Airlines (@flyethiopian) March 10, 2019
(251)11 5 17 87 33
(251)115 17 47 35
(251)11 5 17 41 00
For all information necessary
(251)11 5 17 89 45
(251)11 5 17 89 87
(251)11 5 17 82 31
(251)11 5 17 85 58
Aircraft
The aircraft was delivered to Ethiopian Airlines four months ago
Aviation analyst Alex Macheras said the aircraft was delivered to Ethiopian Airlines just four months ago.
The last time an Ethiopian Airlines flight crashed was in 2010. The flight had crashed shortly after taking off from Beirut. All 90 people on board lost their lives.
The state-owned airlines is seen as one of the best in Africa and is known for its safety.