All 157 individuals on board an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737-800MAX en route to Nairobi were confirmed dead following a crash shortly after takeoff on March 10, 2019.
The aircraft, which departed Addis Ababa's Bole International Airport at 8:38 a.m. local time, lost contact six minutes later during its scheduled flight to Kenya. Ethiopian Airlines confirmed 33 nationalities were aboard the new Boeing 737-800MAX, with 149 passengers and eight crew members.
"The aircraft B-737-800MAX with registration number ET-AVJ, took off at 8:38 a.m. local time from Addis Ababa, Bole International Airport, and lost contact at 8:44 a.m.," the airline stated. "At this time, search and rescue operations are in progress and we have no confirmed information about survivors or any possible casualties."
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 issued statements mourning the victims.
AU Envoy Raila Odinga tweeted, "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." The airline planned to hold a press conference to provide further details.
