Tuesday 16 / April / 2024
Muscat: Ethiopian Airlines has said that no survivors have been so far found among the wreckage of their airline that crashed on Sunday morning, just six minutes after take-off, although investigations are still ongoing.
Flight ET 302 departed the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa at 8:38am on Sunday, 10 March, with 149 passengers and eight air crew, but crashed at 8:44 am. Rescue and emergency services were immediately rushed to the scene of the crash, and in a statement, the company has said that there were no survivors to be found.
“Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO deeply regrets the fatal accident involved on ET 302/March 10, on a scheduled flight from Addis Ababa to Nairobi,” said the airline. “The group CEO who is at the accident scene right now regrets to confirm that there are no survivors. He expresses his profound sympathy and condolences to the families and loved ones of passengers and crew who lost their lives in this tragic accident.”
Ethiopian Airlines have also set up emergency hotlines for friends and family of the passengers travelling on that plane, a Boeing 737-800 max. The aircraft manufacturers have added that a Boeing team is available on standby to travel to Ethiopia to help with rescue operations
“Ethiopian Airlines regrets to confirm that its flight ET 302/10 March in scheduled service from Addis Ababa to Nairobi was involved in an accident today around Bishoftu (Debre Seit),” the airline further added. “The aircraft, B737-800 Max, with registration number ET AVJ took off at 8:38 am local time from Addis Ababa, Bole International Airport, and lost contact at 8:44 am. At this time, search and rescue operations are in progress and we have no confirmed information about survivors or any possible casualties. Ethiopian Airlines staff will be sent to the accident scene and will do everything possible to assist the emergency services.
“It is believed that there were 149 passengers and eight crew onboard the flight but we are currently confirming the details of the passenger manifest for the flight,” said the airline. “Ethiopian airlines is establishing a passenger information centre and telephone numbers will be available shortly for family or friends of those who may have been on flight ET 302/10 March. Ethiopian Airlines will release further information as soon as it is available.”
Abiy Ahmed, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, also passed on his condolences to the friends and relatives of those affected in the crash. “The Office of the PM, on behalf of the Government and people of Ethiopia, would like to express it’s 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,” said a statement.
Uhuru Kenyatta, the President of Kenya, also extended his sympathies to the families and relatives of those who had lost their lives in the crash, saying, “We are saddened by the news of an Ethiopian Airlines passenger aircraft that is reported to have crashed six minutes after takeoff en route to Kenya. My prayers go to all the families and associates of those on board.”
Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho added, “I join family members, friends and relatives to mourn those on board the Ethiopian Airlines passenger plane ET 302/10 en route to Nairobi. It is a sad moment for all of us and I wish those directly and indirectly affected strength and patience during this trying time.”
A statement from Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “We are deeply saddened by the news on Ethiopian Airlines plane crash, killing all 157 people on board. We express our condolences to the families and loved ones of all victims of this tragic accident.”
“Boeing is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the passengers and crew on Ethiopian Airlines flight 302, a 737 MAX 8 Airplane,” said the aircraft manufacturers in a statement. “We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families and loved ones of the passengers and crew on board and stand ready to support the Ethiopian Airlines team. A Boeing technical team is prepared to provide technical assistance at the request and under the direction of the US National Transportation Safety Board.”
