18 Canadians among the dead after Ethiopian Airlines flight crashes

Ethiopian Airlines/Shutterstock

An Ethiopian Airlines flight crashed this morning shortly after take off, killing all 157 passengers and crew on board.

Flight ET 302 took off on the morning of March 10 at 8:38 am local time from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on route to Nairobi, Kenya. The airport lost contact with plane just six minutes later at 8:44 am.

The cause of the crash is currently unknown. In a press conference earlier today, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines — who had visited the crash site — stated:

It is too early to speculate the cause of the accident and further investigation will be carried out to find out the cause of the accident in collaboration with all stakeholders including Boeing, Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority and other international entities to maintain the international standard and information will be provided once the cause is identified.

A senior captain of the airlines was piloting the plane.

According to the airline, among the 149 passengers and 8 crew members were 35 different nationalities, including 18 Canadians.

Accident Bulletin no. 3
Issued on March 10, 2019 at 4:59 PM pic.twitter.com/5UOxsbl24f

— Ethiopian Airlines (@flyethiopian) March 10, 2019

The B-737-800MAX had flown from Johannesburg to Addis earlier this morning, and had undergone a “rigorous first check maintenance” on February 4, 2019.

The Airline has set up emergency hotlines for those seeking more information on the flight and those on board.

Airport emergency hotline
(251)11 5 17 87 33
(251)115 17 47 35
(251)11 5 17 41 00

For all information necessary
(251)11 5 17 89 45
(251)11 5 17 89 87
(251)11 5 17 82 31
(251)11 5 17 85 58

— Ethiopian Airlines (@flyethiopian) March 10, 2019

Prime Minister Trudeau has expressed his condolences to all those affected by the crash and included an email and phone number for Canadians in need of assistance.

Devastating news from Ethiopia this morning. Our thoughts are with all the victims on flight ET302, including the Canadians who were on board, and everyone who lost friends, family, or loved ones. Canadians in need of assistance, contact [email protected] or 613-996-8885.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 10, 2019