A four-month old Ethiopian Airlines B-737-800MAX with registration number ET- AVJ conveying 149 passengers and 8 crew from Addis Ababa to Nairobi has crashed today around Bishoftu (Debre Zeit).
The aircraft flight ET 302/10 March which took off at 08:38 am local time from Addis Ababa, Bole International Airport and lost contact at 08:44am.
According to the airline, search and rescue operations are in progress and there is no confirmed information about survivors or any possible casualties as at this time.
A statement by the airline read, “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 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 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.”
