An Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 crashed during a scheduled flight from Addis Ababa to Nairobi, according to multiple reports. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff, with the aircraft losing contact six minutes into the journey.
The Office of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed issued a statement expressing condolences to affected families. "The Government and people of Ethiopia extend deepest sympathies to those who have lost loved ones in the tragic Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 incident this morning," the message read, citing a tweet from the PM's office.
The Office of the PM, on behalf of the Government and people of Ethiopia, would like to express its 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
Initial reports indicated 149 passengers and eight crew members were aboard the aircraft. Ethiopian Airlines has not yet released an official update on the incident, though the PM's office confirmed the crash before rescue operations concluded.
The Flight lost contact at 8:44 am, 6 minutes after departure from Addis. There are 149 passengers and 8 crew members aboard it. @flyethiopian is yet to update anything concerning the incident yet the Prime Minister has sent his condolences before even the rescue operation is over — Bruce Mutuma (@MutumaKaai) March 10, 2019
Witnesses and aviation tracking services reported the aircraft disappeared from radar shortly after takeoff. Social media users shared concerns about the safety record of Ethiopia's national carrier, which has maintained a strong safety reputation.
What a horrible and gut wrenching news. Our national carrier has a stellar safety record. I hope and pray for more survivors and less fatalities. My deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. — Bereket Kebede (@bereketneh) March 10, 2019
