Ethiopian Airlines crashed this Sunday morning at 8:44am in Addis Ababa killed 157 people on board from 33 countries, including 8 Americans
March 10, 2019
Rescuers remove body bags from the scene of an Ethiopian Airlines flight that crashed shortly after takeoff at Hejere near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, some 31 miles south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Sunday, March 10, 2019. The Ethiopian Airlines flight crashed shortly after takeoff from Ethiopia's capital on Sunday morning, killing all 157 on board, authorities said, as grieving families rushed to airports in Addis Ababa and the destination, Nairobi.
Wreckage lies at the scene of an Ethiopian Airlines flight that crashed shortly after takeoff at Hejere near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, some 31 miles south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Sunday, March 10, 2019. The Ethiopian Airlines flight crashed shortly after takeoff from Ethiopia's capital on Sunday morning, killing all 157 on board, authorities said, as grieving families rushed to airports in Addis Ababa and the destination, Nairobi. - Photo by AP..
VietPress USA (March 10, 2019): According new upgrade from CNBC, an Ethiopian Airlines passenger jet bound for Nairobi crashed minutes after take-off on Sunday, killing all 157 people on board and raising questions about the safety of the Boeing 737 MAX 8, a new model that also crashed in Indonesia in October.
Sunday’s flight left Bole airport in Addis Ababa at 8:38 a.m. (0538 GMT), before losing contact with the control tower just a few minutes later at 8:44 a.m.
“The pilot mentioned that he had difficulties and that he wanted to return,” Ethiopian Airlines chief executive Tewolde GebreMariam told a news conference.
“There are no survivors,” the airline tweeted alongside a picture of Tewolde holding up a piece of debris inside a large crater at the crash site.
Passengers from 33 countries were aboard, said Tewolde.
The dead included Kenyan, Ethiopian, American, Canadian, French, Chinese, Egyptian, Swedish, British, Dutch, Indian, Slovakian, Austrian, Swedish, Russian, Moroccan, Spanish, Polish, and Israeli citizens.
At least four worked for the United Nations, the airline said, and the U.N.’s World Food Program director confirmed his organisation had lost staff in the accident.
* Flight had 157 people from more than 33 countries aboard
Boeing 737 MAX 8 was also involved in October Lion Air crash
* Many families learned of crash from social media (Adds U.S. official’s comment, airline reactions, background)
ABC News said that at least 8 Americans killed among 157 dead people from the crash.
An Ethiopian Airlines plane with 157 people on board, including eight Americans, crashed Sunday just minutes after taking off from Ethiopia's capital, according to the airline and reports.
Everyone on board was presumed dead, Ethiopian Airlines said in a statement. The country's state broadcaster said all of the passengers perished in the crash, according to the Associated Press.
"At this time search and rescue operations are in progress and we have no confirmed information about survivors or any possible casualties," the airline said.
PHOTO: The site where an Ethiopian Airlines flight crashed on March, 10, 2019. (Ethiopian Airlines)
Flight ET302 took off from Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa at 8:38 a.m. local time, the company said. Its destination was Nairobi, Kenya, according to the airline.
It lost contact six minutes later, according to the airline's statement.
There were believed to be 149 passengers and 8 crew members on board, the airline said. However, it said it was "confirming the details of the passenger manifest for the flight."
PHOTO: A civilian takes a photograph of the wreckage at the scene of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302 plane crash, near the town of Bishoftu, southeast of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, March 10, 2019. (Tiksa Negeri/Reuters)
In addition to the eight victims from the United States, the AP reported that there were 32 Kenyans and nine Ethiopians on board; eight people from China and Italy; seven passengers each from France and Britain; six from Egypt; five from the Netherlands; and four each from India and Slovenia.
The U.S. Embassy said it was aware of the crash, and released a statement before it was announced that there victims from the United States. The embassy is working with the Ethiopian government to identify Americans who were on the flight, it said in a statement.
"We extend our sincerest sympathies to all who are impacted by this tragic event," it said in a statement. "We are in contact with the Government of Ethiopia and Ethiopian Airlines to offer all possible assistance, and to determine the status of any Americans who may have been on board."
PHOTO: Rescue teams walk past collected bodies in bags at the crash site of Ethiopia Airlines near Bishoftu, southeast of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, March 10, 2019. (Michael Tewelde/AFP/Getty Images)
The bodies will be delivered to the families of the victims once they are identified, Ethiopian Airlines said in a statement, adding that it has already been in contact with the families of victims.
The plane was a new Boeing 737 Max 8, the same type of plane that crashed in Indonesia in November, killing the 189 people on board. It started service in May 2017.
Boeing said it was "deeply saddened" about the crash.
"We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families and loved ones of the passengers and crew on board and stand ready to support the Ethiopian Airlines team," the company said in a statement.
PHOTO: Cabin serviettes are seen at the scene of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302 plane crash, near the town of Bishoftu, southeast of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, March 10, 2019. (Tiksa Negeri/Reuters)
The National Transportation Safety Board said it is sending a team of four to assist in the investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration announced that it plans to join the NTSB in its assistance with Ethiopian civil aviation authorities to investigate the crash.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declared Monday a national day of mourning.
PM Abiy Ahmed shared his condolences in a televised address on behalf of the FDRE Government.
The House of People’s Representatives have declared March 11, 2019 a national day of mourning for citizens of all countries that have passed in this tragic accident. #PMOEthiopia
