Rescuers are racing against time to search for the black box of a plane that <a href="http://cms.wionews.com/world/ethiopian-airlines-crash-at-least-19-un-affiliated-personnel-among-157-dead-202450">crashed near the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa</a> minutes after take-off on Sunday morning.

The Ethiopian Airlines (ET) aircraft ET 302, a Boeing 737-800 MAX, took off at 08:38 local time from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and was scheduled to arrive in Nairobi, Kenya at 10:25. It lost contact at 08:44, and crashed around Bishoftu town, some 45 kilometres from Addis Ababa.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopian-airlines-boeing-737-plane-crashes-on-way-to-kenya-with-149-passengers-on-board-202327">All 149 passengers and eight crew members aboard</a> ET 302 are confirmed dead.

The massive impact of the crash has created a 10-metre deep pit with 50 meters in diameter, an aerial shot of the accident site shows.

Ethiopian Airlines has asked China Railway Seventh Group Co&nbsp;Ltd, which was undertaking a China-invested project nearby, to pitch in the searching work as the area is difficult to access due to poor transportation condition.

By 15:30 local time, two excavators and a loaded truck have rallied at the site and the Ethiopian Federal Police (EPF) was there to maintain order.

Rescuers have been able to retrieve some remains of the aircraft's engine and wings by 20:00.&nbsp;

The wreckage pieces were scattered in an area as large as 10,000 square meters because of the huge impact force, they said, adding that the excavation would go on overnight.

Rescuers are racing against time to search for the black box of a plane that crashed near the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa minutes after take-off on Sunday morning.

Rescuers are racing against time to search for the black box of a plane that crashed near the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa minutes after take-off on Sunday morning. The Ethiopian Airlines (ET) aircraft ET 302, a Boeing 737-800 MAX, took off at 08:38 local time from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and was scheduled to arrive in Nairobi, Kenya at 10:25. It lost contact at 08:44, and crashed around Bishoftu town, some 45 kilometres from Addis Ababa. All 149 passengers and eight crew members aboard ET 302 are confirmed dead. The massive impact of the crash has created a 10-metre deep pit with 50 meters in diameter, an aerial shot of the accident site shows. Ethiopian Airlines has asked China Railway Seventh Group Co Ltd, which was undertaking a China-invested project nearby, to pitch in the searching work as the area is difficult to access due to poor transportation condition. By 15:30 local time, two excavators and a loaded truck have rallied at the site and the Ethiopian Federal Police (EPF) was there to maintain order. Rescuers have been able to retrieve some remains of the aircraft's engine and wings by 20:00. The wreckage pieces were scattered in an area as large as 10,000 square meters because of the huge impact force, they said, adding that the excavation would go on overnight.

Search for black box of crashed Ethiopian airliner continues

At least 19 affiliated with the United Nations were among those killed in the crash Sunday of an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/greek-man-saved-from-ethiopian-airlines-crash-by-being-two-minutes-late-calls-it-my-lucky-day-202437">Ethiopian Airlines jet</a> near Addis Ababa, according to the UN migration agency chief.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/four-indians-among-those-dead-in-ethiopian-airlines-plane-crash-202378">Authorities said all 157 people</a> on board were killed when the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopian-airlines-plane-crashes-with-157-on-board-no-survivors-says-state-media-202350">Boeing 737 crashed</a> shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa on a flight to Nairobi, where the UN conference was being held.

"Early indications are that 19 staff members of UN-affiliated organizations perished," said International Organization for Migration head Antonio Vitorino.

"Numerous other staff members from at least five UN and affiliated organizations are understood to have also perished," he said. Along with the IOM, the World Food Program, UN Refugee Agency, World Bank, UN Environment Agency and others lost colleagues, he said.

Among the IOM staff on the plane was Anne Feigl, who worked for the agency's mission in Sudan.&nbsp;

Mission chief Catherine Northing remembered Feigl as "an extremely valued colleague and popular staff member, committed and professional."

Meanwhile, World Food Program director David Beasley, who confirmed seven of his staff had died, said: "As we mourn, let us reflect that each of these WFP colleagues was willing to travel and work far from their homes and loved ones to help make the world a better place to live."

In a statement, Geneva-based UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, did not confirm the number of colleagues among the dead -- but said his agency had suffered a "huge loss."

A UN source had earlier added that that freelance interpreter travelling to a UN conference on the environment might also be among the dead.

Establishing the exact number of UN personnel on the flight was complicated by the fact that some had informed the United Nations of their travel plans while others had not, and not all were using their UN passports to travel, the source said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply saddened at the tragic loss of lives."

"He conveys his heartfelt sympathies and solidarity to the victims' families and loved ones, including those of United Nations staff members, as well as sincere condolences to the government and people of Ethiopia," the statement said.

"The United Nations is in contact with the Ethiopian authorities and working closely with them to establish the details of United Nations personnel who lost their lives in this tragedy."

At least 19 affiliated with the United Nations were among those killed in the crash Sunday of an Ethiopian Airlines jet near Addis Ababa, according to the UN migration agency chief.

At least 19 affiliated with the United Nations were among those killed in the crash Sunday of an Ethiopian Airlines jet near Addis Ababa, according to the UN migration agency chief. Authorities said all 157 people on board were killed when the Boeing 737 crashed shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa on a flight to Nairobi, where the UN conference was being held. "Early indications are that 19 staff members of UN-affiliated organizations perished," said International Organization for Migration head Antonio Vitorino. "Numerous other staff members from at least five UN and affiliated organizations are understood to have also perished," he said. Along with the IOM, the World Food Program, UN Refugee Agency, World Bank, UN Environment Agency and others lost colleagues, he said. Among the IOM staff on the plane was Anne Feigl, who worked for the agency's mission in Sudan. Mission chief Catherine Northing remembered Feigl as "an extremely valued colleague and popular staff member, committed and professional." Meanwhile, World Food Program director David Beasley, who confirmed seven of his staff had died, said: "As we mourn, let us reflect that each of these WFP colleagues was willing to travel and work far from their homes and loved ones to help make the world a better place to live." In a statement, Geneva-based UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, did not confirm the number of colleagues among the dead -- but said his agency had suffered a "huge loss." A UN source had earlier added that that freelance interpreter travelling to a UN conference on the environment might also be among the dead. Establishing the exact number of UN personnel on the flight was complicated by the fact that some had informed the United Nations of their travel plans while others had not, and not all were using their UN passports to travel, the source said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply saddened at the tragic loss of lives." "He conveys his heartfelt sympathies and solidarity to the victims' families and loved ones, including those of United Nations staff members, as well as sincere condolences to the government and people of Ethiopia," the statement said. "The United Nations is in contact with the Ethiopian authorities and working closely with them to establish the details of United Nations personnel who lost their lives in this tragedy."

Ethiopian Airlines crash: At least 19 UN-affiliated personnel among 157 dead

A Greek man said on Sunday he would have been the 150th passenger on the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopian-airlines-plane-crashes-with-157-on-board-no-survivors-says-state-media-202350">Nairobi-bound Ethiopian Airlines</a> Boeing plane that crashed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopian-airlines-crash-pilot-reported-difficulties-had-asked-to-return-202389">killing all on board</a>, except he arrived two minutes late for the flight.

"I was mad because nobody helped me to reach the gate on time," Antonis Mavropoulos said in a Facebook post entitled "My lucky day" in which he includes a photo of his ticket.

Mavropoulos, president of the International Solid Waste Association, a non-profit organization, was travelling to Nairobi to attend the annual assembly of the UN Environment Programme, according to Athens News Agency.

He was supposed to board the plane but he reached the departure gate just two minutes after it was closed.

He booked a later flight but was then prevented from boarding by airport staff.

"They led me to the police station of the airport. The officer told me not to protest but to pray to God because I was the only passenger that didn't board the ET 302 flight that was lost," Mavropoulos said in his post in which he admits being in shock.

The airport authorities explained that they wanted to question him because he was the only passenger booked onto the doomed flight who wasn't on board.

"They said they couldn't let me go before cross-checking my identity, the reason I hadn't boarded the plane etc." The Nairobi-bound Boeing 737 crashed just minutes after an early-morning takeoff Sunday from Addis Ababa.

People holding passports from more than 30 countries were on board including a number of UN workers.

State-owned Ethiopian Airline had taken delivery of the Boeing 737-800 MAX plane on November 15. It was of the same type as a plane that crashed in October after takeoff from Jakarta, killing all 189 people on board.

A Greek man said on Sunday he would have been the 150th passenger on the Nairobi-bound Ethiopian Airlines Boeing plane that crashed killing all on board, except he arrived two minutes late for the flight.

A Greek man said on Sunday he would have been the 150th passenger on the Nairobi-bound Ethiopian Airlines Boeing plane that crashed killing all on board, except he arrived two minutes late for the flight. "I was mad because nobody helped me to reach the gate on time," Antonis Mavropoulos said in a Facebook post entitled "My lucky day" in which he includes a photo of his ticket. Mavropoulos, president of the International Solid Waste Association, a non-profit organization, was travelling to Nairobi to attend the annual assembly of the UN Environment Programme, according to Athens News Agency. He was supposed to board the plane but he reached the departure gate just two minutes after it was closed. He booked a later flight but was then prevented from boarding by airport staff. "They led me to the police station of the airport. The officer told me not to protest but to pray to God because I was the only passenger that didn't board the ET 302 flight that was lost," Mavropoulos said in his post in which he admits being in shock. The airport authorities explained that they wanted to question him because he was the only passenger booked onto the doomed flight who wasn't on board. "They said they couldn't let me go before cross-checking my identity, the reason I hadn't boarded the plane etc." The Nairobi-bound Boeing 737 crashed just minutes after an early-morning takeoff Sunday from Addis Ababa. People holding passports from more than 30 countries were on board including a number of UN workers. State-owned Ethiopian Airline had taken delivery of the Boeing 737-800 MAX plane on November 15. It was of the same type as a plane that crashed in October after takeoff from Jakarta, killing all 189 people on board.

Greek man saved from Ethiopian Airlines crash by being two minutes late, calls it 'my lucky day'

Indonesia said Monday it was grounding its Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets after the Ethiopian Airlines crash and another deadly accident involving the same model near Jakarta in October.

"The Director General of Air Transport will take steps to carry out inspections and temporarily prohibit Boeing 737 Max 8 from flying in Indonesia," Director General of Air Transport Polana Pramesti told reporters in Jakarta.

The inspections on Indonesia's 11 Max 8 jets would start Tuesday and the plane would remain grounded until it was cleared by safety regulators, she added.

On Sunday, 157 passengers and crew members of a 737 MAX operated by Ethiopian Airlines were killed shortly after the Nairobi-bound flight took off from Addis Ababa.

The plane is the same type as the Indonesian Lion Air jet that crashed in October, just minutes after takeoff from Jakarta, killing all 189 people on board.

Ten of Indonesia's Max 8 jets are operated by Lion Air while the other is flown by national carrier Garuda.

The decision from Indonesia's transport ministry came as China also ordered its airlines to suspend commercial operations of the state-of-the-art model earlier Monday.

Noting the "similarities" between the two accidents, China's Civil Aviation Administration said domestic airlines had until Monday evening to ground all 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

Indonesia said Monday it was grounding its Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets after the Ethiopian Airlines crash and another deadly accident involving the same model near Jakarta in October.

Indonesia said Monday it was grounding its Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets after the Ethiopian Airlines crash and another deadly accident involving the same model near Jakarta in October. "The Director General of Air Transport will take steps to carry out inspections and temporarily prohibit Boeing 737 Max 8 from flying in Indonesia," Director General of Air Transport Polana Pramesti told reporters in Jakarta. The inspections on Indonesia's 11 Max 8 jets would start Tuesday and the plane would remain grounded until it was cleared by safety regulators, she added. On Sunday, 157 passengers and crew members of a 737 MAX operated by Ethiopian Airlines were killed shortly after the Nairobi-bound flight took off from Addis Ababa. The plane is the same type as the Indonesian Lion Air jet that crashed in October, just minutes after takeoff from Jakarta, killing all 189 people on board. Ten of Indonesia's Max 8 jets are operated by Lion Air while the other is flown by national carrier Garuda. The decision from Indonesia's transport ministry came as China also ordered its airlines to suspend commercial operations of the state-of-the-art model earlier Monday. Noting the "similarities" between the two accidents, China's Civil Aviation Administration said domestic airlines had until Monday evening to ground all 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

Indonesia says grounding Boeing 737 MAX fleet after Ethiopia crash

The black box from the Ethiopian Airlines flight that crashed on Sunday has been recovered by investigators at the crash site, Ethiopian state TV said on Monday.

The passenger jet bound for Nairobi <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopian-airlines-crash-pilot-reported-difficulties-had-asked-to-return-202389">crashed minutes after take-off</a>, killing all 157 people on board and raising questions about the safety of the Boeing 737 MAX 8, a new model that also crashed in Indonesia in October.

The Ethiopian Airlines (ET) aircraft ET 302, a Boeing 737-800 MAX, took off Sunday at 08:38 local time from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and was scheduled to arrive in Nairobi, Kenya at 10:25. It lost contact at 08:44, and crashed around Bishoftu town, some 45 kilometres from Addis Ababa.

Rescuers were able to retrieve some remains of the aircraft's engine and wings by 8 pm yesterday.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The black box from the Ethiopian Airlines flight that crashed on Sunday has been recovered by investigators at the crash site, Ethiopian state TV said on Monday.

The black box from the Ethiopian Airlines flight that crashed on Sunday has been recovered by investigators at the crash site, Ethiopian state TV said on Monday. The passenger jet bound for Nairobi crashed minutes after take-off, killing all 157 people on board and raising questions about the safety of the Boeing 737 MAX 8, a new model that also crashed in Indonesia in October. The Ethiopian Airlines (ET) aircraft ET 302, a Boeing 737-800 MAX, took off Sunday at 08:38 local time from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and was scheduled to arrive in Nairobi, Kenya at 10:25. It lost contact at 08:44, and crashed around Bishoftu town, some 45 kilometres from Addis Ababa. Rescuers were able to retrieve some remains of the aircraft's engine and wings by 8 pm yesterday.

Ethiopian Airlines crash: Black box found, says state TV

Boeing 737: Lion Air, Ethiopian Airlines and the Indian connection

The pilot of a Nairobi-bound Boeing 737 <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopian-airlines-plane-crashes-with-157-on-board-no-survivors-says-state-media-202350">that crashed six minutes after takeoff from Addis Ababa</a> on Sunday, had alerted controllers "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopian-airlines-crash-boeing-was-similar-to-lion-air-plane-that-crashed-last-october-202336">he had difficulties</a>" and wanted to turn back the plane carrying 157 people, the head of Ethiopian Airlines said.

The pilot "was given clearance" to return to Addis, chief executive officer Tewolde GebreMariam told journalists in the Ethiopian capital when asked whether there had been a distress call.&nbsp;

The new Boeing 737 MAX: Two crashes in six months

The 737 MAX, a new plane from US aircraft manufacturer Boeing, faces fresh scrutiny of its safety record after being involved in two crashes in six months.

The single-aisle airliner, which undertook its first commercial flight in May 2017, came under the spotlight in October last year in the wake of a fatal accident in Indonesia.

Lion Air Flight 610 vanished from radar shortly after taking off from Jakarta on October 29, crashing into waters off the north coast of Java Island and killing all 189 people onboard.

About 30 relatives of the crash victims have since filed lawsuits in the United States against Boeing, alleging that faults with the new airliner, including with its anti-stalling system, led to the deaths.

Questions were raised by experts and a pilots' union in the US about whether pilots had been properly trained and whether Boeing had fully shared data about changes made to the on-board control systems.

Boeing responded by saying that the 737 MAX was "as safe as any airplane that has ever flown the skies."&nbsp;

There is no indication that a technical problem was to blame for the crash of the Boeing 737-800 MAX operated by Ethiopian Airlines on Sunday which crashed minutes after taking off from Addis Ababa bound for Nairobi.&nbsp;

An investigation by aviation experts and analysis of the blackbox flight recorders is expected to shed light on the causes of the crash.

High demand 
Boeing is struggling to keep up with demand for the new aircraft, which offers far better fuel efficiency than earlier versions of the 737, the world's top-selling airliner.

Around 350 planes have been delivered to customers, with another 5,011 orders taken by Boeing, according to figures at the end of January.

Component suppliers and particularly the manufacturer of its engines -- CFM, a joint venture between US-based General Electric and France's Safran -- have struggled to keep up with demand.

Forced to announce delays in deliveries to clients, Boeing has sent some of its own employees to work alongside CFM workers with the aim of increasing production from its current rate of 52 planes a month to 57.

The 737 MAX family of planes includes versions with different seating capacities, with a maximum 230 for the MAX 9.

The price per plane ranges from 99.7-129 million dollars (89-117 million euros), though discounts are usually given to clients for large orders.

Its main competitor is the Airbus A320, which is also designed for short and medium-haul flights.

The pilot of a Nairobi-bound Boeing 737 that crashed six minutes after takeoff from Addis Ababa on Sunday, had alerted controllers "he had difficulties" and wanted to turn back the plane carrying 157 people, the head of Ethiopian Airlines said.

The pilot of a Nairobi-bound Boeing 737 that crashed six minutes after takeoff from Addis Ababa on Sunday, had alerted controllers "he had difficulties" and wanted to turn back the plane carrying 157 people, the head of Ethiopian Airlines said. The pilot "was given clearance" to return to Addis, chief executive officer Tewolde GebreMariam told journalists in the Ethiopian capital when asked whether there had been a distress call. The new Boeing 737 MAX: Two crashes in six months The 737 MAX, a new plane from US aircraft manufacturer Boeing, faces fresh scrutiny of its safety record after being involved in two crashes in six months. The single-aisle airliner, which undertook its first commercial flight in May 2017, came under the spotlight in October last year in the wake of a fatal accident in Indonesia. Lion Air Flight 610 vanished from radar shortly after taking off from Jakarta on October 29, crashing into waters off the north coast of Java Island and killing all 189 people onboard. About 30 relatives of the crash victims have since filed lawsuits in the United States against Boeing, alleging that faults with the new airliner, including with its anti-stalling system, led to the deaths. Questions were raised by experts and a pilots' union in the US about whether pilots had been properly trained and whether Boeing had fully shared data about changes made to the on-board control systems. Boeing responded by saying that the 737 MAX was "as safe as any airplane that has ever flown the skies." There is no indication that a technical problem was to blame for the crash of the Boeing 737-800 MAX operated by Ethiopian Airlines on Sunday which crashed minutes after taking off from Addis Ababa bound for Nairobi. An investigation by aviation experts and analysis of the blackbox flight recorders is expected to shed light on the causes of the crash. High demand Boeing is struggling to keep up with demand for the new aircraft, which offers far better fuel efficiency than earlier versions of the 737, the world's top-selling airliner. Around 350 planes have been delivered to customers, with another 5,011 orders taken by Boeing, according to figures at the end of January. Component suppliers and particularly the manufacturer of its engines -- CFM, a joint venture between US-based General Electric and France's Safran -- have struggled to keep up with demand. Forced to announce delays in deliveries to clients, Boeing has sent some of its own employees to work alongside CFM workers with the aim of increasing production from its current rate of 52 planes a month to 57. The 737 MAX family of planes includes versions with different seating capacities, with a maximum 230 for the MAX 9. The price per plane ranges from 99.7-129 million dollars (89-117 million euros), though discounts are usually given to clients for large orders. Its main competitor is the Airbus A320, which is also designed for short and medium-haul flights.

Ethiopian Airlines crash: Pilot reported 'difficulties', had asked to return

All <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopian-airlines-plane-crashes-with-157-on-board-no-survivors-says-state-media-202350">157 people aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight</a> on route to Nairobi from Addis Ababa that crashed early Sunday have died, a spokesperson for the airline confirmed.

The spokesperson told Ethiopian state television EBC that people from 33 nationalities were on board flight ET 302, which crashed near the town of Bishoftu, 45 kilometres (27 miles) southeast of the Ethiopian capital.

The airline's CEO, Tewolde Gebre Mariam, told members of the press that 32 Kenyans, 18 Canadians, nine Ethiopians, eight Italians, eight Chinese, eight people from the United States, seven from France, seven people from the United Kingdom and six Egyptians were among the dead.

Gebre Mariam added there were also five people from the Netherlands, four Indians, four Slovakians, three Austrians, three Swedes, three Russians, two Moroccans, two Spaniards, two Poles, one Belgian, one Norwegian and four others holding United Nations passports who died travelling on the fatal crash.&nbsp;

The CEO expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, adding that Ethiopian authorities were in contact with the embassies of the deceased.

The office of the Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, confirmed the crash on social media shortly after the accident tweeting:

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Accident Bulletin no. 2 
Issued on march 10, 2019 at 01:46 PM <a href="https://t.co/KFKX6h2mxJ">pic.twitter.com/KFKX6h2mxJ</a>
— Ethiopian Airlines (@flyethiopian) <a href="https://twitter.com/flyethiopian/status/1104702003924619264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"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 a regularly scheduled flight to Nairobi, Kenya this morning."

The Boeing 737, with 149 passengers and eight crew members aboard, took off at 8:38 am from Bole International Airport and lost contact a few minutes later, the airline said in an earlier statement.

The passenger jet was scheduled to land at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 10:25 am.

The cause of the crash remained unknown, Ethiopian Airlines said, one of Africa's largest air travel companies.

The accident has taken place less than five months after a Lion Air Boeing 737 MAX 8 crashed in Indonesia 12 minutes after take-off killing 189 people.

Ethiopian Airlines, which has a good reputation for air safety, operates international flights as well as several destinations within the African continent.

In January 2010, an Ethiopian passenger plane heading for Addis Ababa crashed into the Mediterranean Sea after taking off from Beirut International Airport, killing all 83 passengers and seven crew members on board.

One of the airline's deadliest incidents was in November 1996, when a flight from Addis Ababa to Nairobi ran out of fuel and crashed into the Indian Ocean near the Comoros islands after it was hijacked by three men who demanded the pilot take them to Australia, leaving 125 of the 175 people on board dead.

All 157 people aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight on route to Nairobi from Addis Ababa that crashed early Sunday have died, a spokesperson for the airline confirmed.

All 157 people aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight on route to Nairobi from Addis Ababa that crashed early Sunday have died, a spokesperson for the airline confirmed. The spokesperson told Ethiopian state television EBC that people from 33 nationalities were on board flight ET 302, which crashed near the town of Bishoftu, 45 kilometres (27 miles) southeast of the Ethiopian capital. The airline's CEO, Tewolde Gebre Mariam, told members of the press that 32 Kenyans, 18 Canadians, nine Ethiopians, eight Italians, eight Chinese, eight people from the United States, seven from France, seven people from the United Kingdom and six Egyptians were among the dead. Gebre Mariam added there were also five people from the Netherlands, four Indians, four Slovakians, three Austrians, three Swedes, three Russians, two Moroccans, two Spaniards, two Poles, one Belgian, one Norwegian and four others holding United Nations passports who died travelling on the fatal crash. The CEO expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, adding that Ethiopian authorities were in contact with the embassies of the deceased. The office of the Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, confirmed the crash on social media shortly after the accident tweeting: Accident Bulletin no. 2 Issued on march 10, 2019 at 01:46 PM pic.twitter.com/KFKX6h2mxJ — Ethiopian Airlines (@flyethiopian) March 10, 2019 × "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 a regularly scheduled flight to Nairobi, Kenya this morning." The Boeing 737, with 149 passengers and eight crew members aboard, took off at 8:38 am from Bole International Airport and lost contact a few minutes later, the airline said in an earlier statement. The passenger jet was scheduled to land at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 10:25 am. The cause of the crash remained unknown, Ethiopian Airlines said, one of Africa's largest air travel companies. The accident has taken place less than five months after a Lion Air Boeing 737 MAX 8 crashed in Indonesia 12 minutes after take-off killing 189 people. Ethiopian Airlines, which has a good reputation for air safety, operates international flights as well as several destinations within the African continent. In January 2010, an Ethiopian passenger plane heading for Addis Ababa crashed into the Mediterranean Sea after taking off from Beirut International Airport, killing all 83 passengers and seven crew members on board. One of the airline's deadliest incidents was in November 1996, when a flight from Addis Ababa to Nairobi ran out of fuel and crashed into the Indian Ocean near the Comoros islands after it was hijacked by three men who demanded the pilot take them to Australia, leaving 125 of the 175 people on board dead.

Ethiopian Airlines crash: Four Indians among 157 dead

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/2019-lok-sabha-elections-to-be-held-in-seven-phases-starting-april-11-202362">2019 Lok Sabha elections to be held in seven phases starting April 11</a>

The 2019 Lok Sabha elections are to be held in seven phases starting April 11. The announcement was made Sunday by Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora.&nbsp;

The polling dates over the seven phases are April 11, April 18, April 23, May 6, May 12, and May 19. All votes will be counted on May 23.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopian-airlines-plane-crashes-with-157-on-board-no-survivors-says-state-media-202350">Ethiopian Airlines plane crashes with 157 on board: 'No survivors,' says state media</a>

An Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 passenger jet to Nairobi crashed early on Sunday with 149 passengers and eight crew members aboard, the airline said, and there were no survivors, according to the state broadcaster.

The flight left Bole airport in Addis Ababa at 8.38 am local time, before losing contact with the control tower just a few minutes later at 8.44 am.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/enough-is-enough-india-cannot-suffer-terrorism-till-eternity-pm-modi-202353">Enough is enough, India cannot suffer terrorism till eternity: PM Modi</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday sent across a strong message to terrorist forces targeting India, saying the country cannot keep suffering forever and that his government has taken some "strong decisions" against such elements.

"For many decades, the country and numerous families have suffered the wounds and pain given by terrorism, Naxalism and insurgency. What happened in Pulwama and Uri was heartbreaking.

"We cannot bear this pain till eternity. Enough is enough," the Prime Minister said while addressing CISF personnel.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopian-airlines-crash-boeing-was-similar-to-lion-air-plane-that-crashed-last-october-202336">Ethiopian Airlines crash: Boeing was similar to Lion Air plane that crashed last October</a>

The Ethiopian Airlines plane that crashed Sunday was the same type of Boeing as the Lion Air plane that crashed last October in Indonesia killing all 189 people on board.&nbsp;

The Lion Air plane was a Boeing 737MAX. The Ethiopian Airlines plane was a Boeing 737-800MAX.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/jawans-should-count-dead-bodies-after-air-strike-or-return-safely-sushma-swaraj-202348">Jawans should count dead bodies after air strike or return safely?: Sushma Swaraj</a>

Speaking at a gathering of the BJP's women workers in Mumbai on Sunday, senior leader and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj signalled that the military action against Pakistan after the February 14 Pulwama attack would be a poll issue for the ruling party.

"We should ask questions about whether our jawans should count the dead bodies (after dropping bombs on terror camps) or return safely after carrying out the air strike. BJP workers should ask counter-questions to those who raise doubts about the impact of our air strike," Swaraj said.

2019 Lok Sabha elections to be held in seven phases starting April 11 The 2019 Lok Sabha elections are to be held in seven phases starting April 11. The announcement was made Sunday by Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora.

2019 Lok Sabha elections to be held in seven phases starting April 11 The 2019 Lok Sabha elections are to be held in seven phases starting April 11. The announcement was made Sunday by Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora. The polling dates over the seven phases are April 11, April 18, April 23, May 6, May 12, and May 19. All votes will be counted on May 23. Ethiopian Airlines plane crashes with 157 on board: 'No survivors,' says state media An Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 passenger jet to Nairobi crashed early on Sunday with 149 passengers and eight crew members aboard, the airline said, and there were no survivors, according to the state broadcaster. The flight left Bole airport in Addis Ababa at 8.38 am local time, before losing contact with the control tower just a few minutes later at 8.44 am. Enough is enough, India cannot suffer terrorism till eternity: PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday sent across a strong message to terrorist forces targeting India, saying the country cannot keep suffering forever and that his government has taken some "strong decisions" against such elements. "For many decades, the country and numerous families have suffered the wounds and pain given by terrorism, Naxalism and insurgency. What happened in Pulwama and Uri was heartbreaking. "We cannot bear this pain till eternity. Enough is enough," the Prime Minister said while addressing CISF personnel. Ethiopian Airlines crash: Boeing was similar to Lion Air plane that crashed last October The Ethiopian Airlines plane that crashed Sunday was the same type of Boeing as the Lion Air plane that crashed last October in Indonesia killing all 189 people on board. The Lion Air plane was a Boeing 737MAX. The Ethiopian Airlines plane was a Boeing 737-800MAX. Jawans should count dead bodies after air strike or return safely?: Sushma Swaraj Speaking at a gathering of the BJP's women workers in Mumbai on Sunday, senior leader and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj signalled that the military action against Pakistan after the February 14 Pulwama attack would be a poll issue for the ruling party. "We should ask questions about whether our jawans should count the dead bodies (after dropping bombs on terror camps) or return safely after carrying out the air strike. BJP workers should ask counter-questions to those who raise doubts about the impact of our air strike," Swaraj said.

News brief: Big stories of the day

An Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 passenger jet to Nairobi crashed early on Sunday <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopian-airlines-boeing-737-plane-crashes-on-way-to-kenya-with-149-passengers-on-board-202327">with 149 passengers and eight crew members aboard</a>, the airline said, and there were no survivors, according to the state broadcaster.

The flight left Bole airport in Addis Ababa at 8.38 am local time, before losing contact with the control tower just a few minutes later at 8.44 am.

"There are no survivors onboard the flight, which carried passengers from 33 countries," said state-run Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation, quoting an unidentified source at the airline.

Flight ET 302 crashed near the town of Bishoftu, 62 kilometres southeast of the capital Addis Ababa, the airline said, adding that the plane was a Boeing 737-800 MAX, registration number ET-AVJ.

That model number does not exist however and multiple aviation websites later identified the plane as a new 737 MAX 8, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopian-airlines-crash-boeing-was-similar-to-lion-air-plane-that-crashed-last-october-202336">the same plane that crashed in Indonesia in October, killing 189</a>.

"Search and rescue operations are in progress and we have no confirmed information about survivors or any possible casualties," the airline said in a statement.

The flight had unstable vertical speed after take off, said flight tracking website Flightradar24 on its Twitter feed.

At Nairobi airport, many passengers were waiting at the gate, with no information from airport authorities.

"We're just waiting for my mum. We're just hoping she took a different flight or was delayed. She's not picking up her phone," said Wendy Otieno, clutching her phone and weeping.

Robert Mudanta, 46, was waiting for his brother-in-law coming from Canada.

"No, we haven't seen anyone from the airline or the airport," he told Reuters at 1pm, more than three hours after the flight was lost. "Nobody has told us anything, we are just standing here hoping for the best."

The Ethiopian prime minister's office sent condolences via Twitter to the families of those lost in the crash.

On Oct. 29, a Lion Air Boeing 737 MAX 8 crashed into the Java Sea shortly after take-off from Jakarta, killing all 189 people on board.

The plane is the latest version of the 737 family, the world’s best selling modern passenger aircraft and one of the industry’s most reliable.

State-owned Ethiopian is one of the biggest carriers on the continent by fleet size. It said previously that it expected to carry 10.6 million passengers last year.

Its last major crash was in January 2010, when a flight from Beirut went down shortly after take-off.

An Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 passenger jet to Nairobi crashed early on Sunday with 149 passengers and eight crew members aboard, the airline said, and there were no survivors, according to the state broadcaster.

An Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 passenger jet to Nairobi crashed early on Sunday with 149 passengers and eight crew members aboard, the airline said, and there were no survivors, according to the state broadcaster. The flight left Bole airport in Addis Ababa at 8.38 am local time, before losing contact with the control tower just a few minutes later at 8.44 am. "There are no survivors onboard the flight, which carried passengers from 33 countries," said state-run Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation, quoting an unidentified source at the airline. Flight ET 302 crashed near the town of Bishoftu, 62 kilometres southeast of the capital Addis Ababa, the airline said, adding that the plane was a Boeing 737-800 MAX, registration number ET-AVJ. That model number does not exist however and multiple aviation websites later identified the plane as a new 737 MAX 8, the same plane that crashed in Indonesia in October, killing 189. "Search and rescue operations are in progress and we have no confirmed information about survivors or any possible casualties," the airline said in a statement. The flight had unstable vertical speed after take off, said flight tracking website Flightradar24 on its Twitter feed. At Nairobi airport, many passengers were waiting at the gate, with no information from airport authorities. "We're just waiting for my mum. We're just hoping she took a different flight or was delayed. She's not picking up her phone," said Wendy Otieno, clutching her phone and weeping. Robert Mudanta, 46, was waiting for his brother-in-law coming from Canada. "No, we haven't seen anyone from the airline or the airport," he told Reuters at 1pm, more than three hours after the flight was lost. "Nobody has told us anything, we are just standing here hoping for the best." The Ethiopian prime minister's office sent condolences via Twitter to the families of those lost in the crash. On Oct. 29, a Lion Air Boeing 737 MAX 8 crashed into the Java Sea shortly after take-off from Jakarta, killing all 189 people on board. The plane is the latest version of the 737 family, the world’s best selling modern passenger aircraft and one of the industry’s most reliable. State-owned Ethiopian is one of the biggest carriers on the continent by fleet size. It said previously that it expected to carry 10.6 million passengers last year. Its last major crash was in January 2010, when a flight from Beirut went down shortly after take-off.

Ethiopian Airlines plane crashes with 157 on board: 'No survivors,' says state media

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