Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga issued statements mourning the loss of life in the Ethiopian Airlines crash that claimed 157 victims on March 10, 2019. The Boeing 737-800 Max aircraft, same model involved in the October 2018 Lion Air disaster, crashed six minutes after takeoff from Bole International Airport, killing all 149 passengers and eight crew members.
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. — Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) March 10, 2019
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. — Uhuru Kenyatta (@UKenyatta) March 10, 2019
The airline confirmed 32 Kenyan and 17 Ethiopian nationals were among the dead, with 33 nationalities represented on board. Rescue operations continued as the cause of the crash remained under investigation.
A social media post alleged the crash resulted from sabotage linked to tensions in Ethiopia's Oromia region, though no official confirmation accompanied the claim.
