Eleven minutes after departing from Addis Ababa, an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737-800MAX bound for Nairobi crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all 149 passengers and eight crew members aboard.
The aircraft, registered as ET-AVJ, took off at 8:38 a.m. local time from Bole International Airport and lost contact six minutes later, according to an airline statement. Ethiopian Airlines Corporate Communications Director Asrat Begashaw confirmed 33 nationalities were on board and announced an upcoming press conference.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta expressed condolences on Twitter, stating, "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." Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto also extended sympathies to affected families.
The crash has prompted international mourning, with African Union Envoy Raila Odinga stating, "My deeply felt condolences to the people of Ethiopia following the crash of the Ethiopian Airlines plane. My prayers are with the families and relatives of victims." The Ethiopian government reiterated its grief in a statement, calling for unity amid the tragedy.
