- Join the France 24 community here
- Log in
Latest update: 25/01/2010
- Ethiopia - Lebanon - plane crash
Ethiopian jet crashes into sea off Beirut
An Ethiopian jet carrying 90 people has crashed into the sea after takeoff from Beirut with no sign of survivors, officials said. Helicopters and navy vessels rushed to the site as Lebanese President Michel Sleiman ruled out foul play.
AFP - An Ethiopian jet carrying 90 people plunged into the sea off the coast of Lebanon in a ball of fire just after takeoff in stormy weather early Monday with no sign of survivors, officials said.
Helicopters and navy vessels rushed to the crash site as President Michel Sleiman ruled out foul play.
Transport Minister Ghazi Aridi said Ethiopian Airlines Flight 409 lost contact with the airport control tower shortly after takeoff and crashed into the Mediterranean sea 2.5 nautical miles off the coastal town of Naameh, south of the airport.
"The control tower was assisting the pilot of the plane on takeoff and suddenly lost contact for no known reason," Aridi told reporters.
Families of the passengers, some of them weeping, could be seen huddled at the VIP lounge of Beirut International Airport while awaiting news of their loved ones.
One woman was sobbing and screaming, "Why, why?"
A government official said there were several children on board the plane, which crashed about five minutes after takeoff at 2:30 am (1230 GMT).
Witnesses reported seeing a ball of fire as the Boeing 737 plunged into the sea.
A military official said four bodies had been recovered at the crash site by early morning.
Sleiman said authorities had ruled out terrorism or sabotage as the cause of the crash.
"Up until now we have ruled out foul play," Sleiman told reporters.
"This is a painful tragic event. We are sparing no efforts in trying to find survivors," he added.
"Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the families of those on board."
The accident took place amid heavy rains and storms in Lebanon in the past two days that have caused heavy flooding and damage in some parts of the country.
Officials listed 83 passengers and seven crew members as having been on board the flight.
Aridi said the passengers include 54 Lebanese, 22 Ethiopians, one Iraqi, one French woman, one Syrian and seven crew members. There were also several dual nationals including two British-Lebanese, one Canadian-Lebanese and a Russian-Lebanese.
Thousands of Ethiopians are employed as domestic workers in Lebanon and Ethiopian Airlines operates a regular flight between Addis Ababa and Beirut.
Among those on board the flight was Marla Sanchez Pietton, the wife of France's ambassador to Lebanon, Denis Pietton, the French embassy told AFP.
Aridi said he had formed an investigative committee to determine the cause of the crash and had contacted nearby countries to assist in the search and rescue effort.
The Lebanese army, navy as well as the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) were assisting in the rescue, Aridi added.
"We have contacted everyone, inside and outside the country, that can assist us and the Lebanese navy, the army and UNIFIL have joined in the rescue," the minister added.
He said the French organisation responsible for technical investigation of civil aviation accidents was taking part in the probe.
A government official said Cyprus was assisting in the search and rescue efforts as were naval vessels from the UN force stationed in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Prime Minister Saad Hariri declared Monday a national day of mourning.
The Boeing 737-800, which entered into commercial service in 1998, is one of the latest versions of the world's most widely used short to medium-haul airliners, and is capable of carrying up to 189 passengers.
The accident comes just one month after a Panamian-flagged ship transporting livestock capsized in stormy weather and sank off the coast of northern Lebanon with around 80 sailors on board.
The majority of the sailors were rescued but 26 were unaccounted for and presumed dead.
Ethiopian Airlines has supplied these numbers for people seeking additional information: +251 11 517 8766, +251 91 150 1248, +251 11 517 8028, +251 11 517 8054, +251 11 517 8025, +251 11 517 8030, +251 91 125 5577, +251 91 120 3412 or our toll free number +251 11 662 0062
Related Content
Breaking news from the MIDDLE EAST
‘Darth Vader’ demands free land from Ukrainian government
Browse all editions
FRANCE 24 PARTNERS
Comments (41)
This is not the end of life,Get strong once again!
Ethiopian is one of outstanding airliners in the world which has ensured the title of'African pride'. The tragedy is painful but i pray for ethiopian to remain strong in its business and service.
i apperciate the prime minister/the president/ of lebenon for his cautios way of press releases unlike some of his country officials who did not care to take time for speculations. I am sorry for the speculators and i am afraid they seem to know something about the cause of the tragedy.How dare they say it was the pilot's fault without proper investigation?????
Nigerians morn with you
Nigerians worldwide express their condolence to the family and friends of the deaths and pray that God Almight will give them the strenght to bear the lost.
from yeshirge reda please bless them with hope,care god bless u
god please belss them in heaven with love hope care we love are beloved ones ery much we hope the best god bless you.
Condolescence to ET Pax and Crew Members
I send my sympathy to Ethiopian Airline officials and to the relatives and friends of those lost in the recent aircrash.
Is there something wrong with the Boengs? If so, phase them out and replace with the Super or Standard VC 10s.
Just a thought.
Mary
Tragic Incidence
When i heard about this tragic incidence i was shocked because i travelled many time in Ethiopian Airline in Ethiopia.Any way it was the will of God.
Muhammad Bilal Jadoon
mbkjadoon@gmail.com
Islamabad Pakistan
oh God! its so sad.i cant
oh God! its so sad.i cant talk more.
SAD NEWS
REALLY SAD TO HEAR ABOUT THIS ACCIDENT. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILIES THAT THEY HAVE LOST THEIR LOVED ONES.
Ethiopian Airline crash 409 flight
we can't find all information, like the picture of ethiopian crew and the passenger, please show next time the all information.
Thank you,
lebanon
plz help lebanon i beg u
Girma please wait the professional investigation result
As apride citizen of Africa, I am terribly grieved to hear the death of those innocent life... Pointing to others Without hard evidence is not acceptable.....Girma please wait the professional investigation result. May God rest their life in peace....
Reply to "Ethiopian air line crash in Beiruit"
This is to reply to the one who had as a subject: "Ethiopian air line crash in Beiruit". (check your spelling next time)
First off, we "Arabs" as you like to call us, are everything but racist. I dont appreciate you genenralizing about us all when you probably only know the outside story of us LEBANESE.
A few stories here and there does not give you the right to come up with such a false judgement. So don't give me this crap about "professionalism" when you seem to be no where close to that.
As for the Israelis being close to us, let's not get into that in here bcz that would be a never ending subject and this is between the Lebanese and the Israelis which you have no business discussing or even being concerned with.
FYI - We, in Lebanon are not all muslims, there are christians and druze as well. So go do some research before assuming things.
No body was pointing fingers at anyone, they were stating what seemed to be the case. And I speak as a Lebanese, we dont "think" we know everything at all, I dont know where you came up with that but again, you need to do some serious research and reading.
May all their souls rest in peace, my good friend was in there as well. So let's not sit here and blame people for anything or even GENERALIZE and judge people without knowing the full story.
Regards
Ethiopian air line crash in Beiruit
My condolence goes to all famlies who died in the Ethiopian Air lines crash, flight # 409, on the way Addis Abeba. But the transportation minster pointing finger to Ethiopian air lines pilot was very early & unprofessional. But knowing those racist Arabs always undermine others is simply exposed how they are ignorant of other people. I think it is good to see the Israel close to them to straight them and close their big mouth. They think they are the best in everything (in their Islamic relgion, in their color, in their fanatic culture, etc..) but they will never understand they are the most primitive and foolish people who doesn't know what they are talking and doing. Any way, let the dead soul rest in peace.
Ethiopian air line crash in Beiruit
My condolence goes to all famlies who died in the Ethiopian Air lines crash, flight # 409, on the way Addis Abeba. But the transportation minster pointing finger to Ethiopian air lines pilot was very early & unprofessional. But knowing those racist Arabs always undermine others is simply exposed how they are ignorant of other people. I think it is good to see the Israel close to them to straight them and close their big mouth. They think they are the best in everything (in their Islamic relgion, in their color, in their fanatic culture, etc..) but they will never understand they are the most primitive and foolish people who doesn't know what they are talking and doing. Any way, let the dead soul rest in peace.
Ethiopian air line crash in Beiruit
My condolence goes to all famlies who died in the Ethiopian Air lines crash, flight # 409, on the way Addis Abeba. But the transportation minster pointing finger to Ethiopian air lines pilot was very early & unprofessional. But knowing those racist Arabs always undermine others is simply exposed how they are ignorant of other people. I think it is good to see the Israel close to them to straight them and close their big mouth. They think they are the best in everything (in their Islamic relgion, in their color, in their fanatic culture, etc..) but they will never understand they are the most primitive and foolish people who doesn't know what they are talking and doing. Any way, let the dead soul rest in peace.
Deep Sorry
My name is Seble,
When I heard the news I was shocked.
Ethiopian Airlines the biggest and the best safe air line in Africa.
It’s obvious there is tragedy. It’s needs serious investigation.
We are pray may God keep their soul rest and peace.
God Bless Ethiopia.
Deep Sorry
My Name is Seble,
When I heard the news I was shocked.
Ethiopian Airlines the biggest and the best safe air line in Africa.
It’s obvious there is tragedy. It’s needs serious investigation.
We are pray may God keep their soul rest in peace.
So bad
it is not difficult to understand how hard the moment was for the passengers. May GOD bless your soul and Egziabeher Metsnanaten Lebetesebochachew Yaderege. God Bless! AMEN
Deep Sorry
My name is Seble,
I shocked when I heard the news, Ethiopian air lines the biggest and the best airline in Africa, its obvious there is tragedy, it’s needs serious investigation.
We pray for the people that we lost; God may keep their soul rest and peace.
God bless them
God bless them
I am so scared about that
I am so scared about that
i feel sorry
really we all Ethiopian's feel sorry about the moment we hear
ethiopian
sorry to all the famiiles which lost their loved ones
sorry to all the famiiles
sorry to all the famiiles which lost their loved ones
Acceot our sympathy
it is indeed a huge loss of monumental dimension. We share with the affected families in their moments of loss as we pray to God to comfort them at this crucial moment.
Emeka Achilefu from Nigeria
pray
this accident become the 3rd one but investigation should be worked on the cause highly God bless Ethiopia
may God give u comfort to all passengers family
Addis B.
Heart felt sympathy to all
Heart felt sympathy to all with family on that flight.My friend was on that flight too.
ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES
As an Ethiopian citizen living in Cal.I'm very proud to say that EAL has excellent services to all the places it flies around the world.I do hope it continues its exceptional services,and my sympathy to all the family who lost their loved ones.Sokram
There is a GOD everywhere
I just want to say MAY GOD B WITH THEM. And every one can think what if i was inside....what if i was a pilot....shit huppen!
ethiopian plane crash in beirut
We are praying days and nights so they can find survivors..our hearts are with all the families of the passengers!
hi
i don't blive it i am so sorry.
cloudy sky and flux of charges
At least from now we should suspend the take off and and landing the flights amidst cloudy sky and stromy weather since there may be flux of electrical charges in bunches hidden amidst cluods which may be hazardous for animate and transient tangibles amidst to penetrate them since highly inflammable are prone to disasters since we are also in metaphysical world
What do you mean it is a
What do you mean it is a shame. Have u ever heard the word accident. It i so so... sad news for their families. May God be with them in this very difficult time.
Wow! The people in the
Wow! The people in the airplane must have been really brave cause when ur in an exploding area, theres nowhere to run!!
God bless these people
btw im from lebanon :D
Wow! The people in the
Wow! The people in the airplane must have been really brave cause when ur in an exploding area, theres nowhere to run!!
God bless these people
btw im from lebanon :D
God bless The world
may rest in peace to all victims god bless all of them
Ethiopian airline crush
may GOd give comfornt to thoes families hurt inthis tragic, egezhabher kenante gara yehun,
our prayers
poleni sana from Kenya
o my god
o my god
so sad, please let us all
so sad, please let us all pray for the families who have lost thier loved ones.
so sad, please let us all
so sad, please let us all pray for the families who have lost thier loved ones.
bad feeling
this danger is realy shame for ethiopian and ethiopian airlines
i am sorry for this dramatic illusion event.God will bless all
dead body in the crash.wishing best to the lost families frineds
and relatives. girma dubale
Post new comment