An Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 plane travelling from Addis Ababa to Nairobi with 157 people aboard crashed on Sunday.
The 737 Max-8 aircraft is relatively new to the skies, having been launched in 2016. It was added to the Ethiopian Airlines fleet late last year. The airline released following statement:
Ethiopian Airlines regrets to confirm that its flight ET 302/10 March in schedule service from Addis Ababa to Nairobi was involved in an accident today around Bishoftu (Debre Zeit).
The aircraft B-737-800MAX with registration number ET- AVJ took off at 08:38 am local time from Addis Ababa, Bole International Airport and lost contact at 08:44am. At this time search and rescue operations are in progress and we have no confirmed information about survivors or any possible causalities. 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 8 crew onboard the flight but we are currently confirming the details of the passenger manifest for the flight.
Ethiopian Airlines is establishing a passenger information center and telephone number 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. Updated information will also be on Ethiopian Airlines website at www.ethiopianairlines.com
ET 302 Accident Information hot lines
For all residents in Addis Ababa and surrounding areas use telephone numbers : 0115178945/0115178987/0115178231/0115178558
Airport Emergency Team : 0115178733/0115174735/0115178601
**Update**: Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, who visited the accident scene, regrets to confirm that there are no survivors.
