According to the flight manifest, all 157 passengers who were on aboard an Ethiopian Airline’s Boeing 737 on regular flight to Nairobi, all perished, shortly after departure from Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa.
“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,” said Uhuru Kenyatta.
Ethiopian Airlines in a statement said that the accident occurred around Bishoftu (Debre Zeit) area where it lost contact six minutes after take- off.
There were 149 passengers and eight crew members on board.
“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,” Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali tweeted.
The Boeing 737 crashed six minutes after take-off from Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport, killing all on board.
The Kenyan government has set centers to enable families access information on their loved ones who were on the ill-fated plane.