Ethiopian Airlines: ‘No survivors’ after jet crashes on way to Nairobi with 157 people on board, airline spokesman says
(Evening Standard) – There were no survivors from an Ethiopian Airlines flight that crashed this morning carrying 157 people, an airline spokesman has said.
The plane was carrying passengers from 33 countries, the state broadcaster said on Sunday, citing a source at the airline.
Some 149 passengers and eight crew members were thought to be on board the Boeing 737 that crashed six minutes after departing Addis Ababa on its way to Kenya’s capital.
The crash occurred around 31 miles south of the capital at around 8.44am local time (5.44am GMT), shortly after taking off, the airline said.
A statement by the Ethiopian prime minister’s office offered its “deepest condolences” to families.
Flight tracking website FlightRadar24 said the flight had “unstable vertical speed” after take-off.
The PM’s office said on Twitter: “The office of the PM, on behalf of government and people of Ethiopia, would like to express it’s deepest condolences to the families that have lost their loved ones on Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 on regular scheduled flight to Nairobi, Kenya this morning.”
The state-owned Ethiopian Airlines calls itself Africa’s largest carrier and has ambitions of becoming the gateway to the continent.
