Nana Addo consoles Ethiopia over fatal aircraft crash

President Akufo-Addo has joined other world leaders to mourn the fatalities resulting from the crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 on Sunday.

The crash killed all 157 on board including 8 crew members.

President Akufo-Addo in a message to Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed said “Like all Ghanaians, I have been deeply saddened by Sunday’s news of the tragic loss of 157 lives, who perished on board an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa to Nairobi, in Kenya.”

He continued, “On behalf of the Government and people of Ghana, I extend deep condolences and sympathies to the families of the deceased, and to you, Mr. Prime Minister, the Government and people of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in these difficult times. May the souls of the departed rest in peace.”

Ethiopian Airlines aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, en route to Nairobi, Kenya, lost contact with air traffic controllers, some six minutes after take-off and crashed near Bishoftu, southeast of the Ethiopian capital.

“The cause of the crash is not immediately known but the CEO of the Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde Gebremariam who traveled to the crash site said “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 Aircraft Manufacturer Boeing, Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority and other international entities to maintain the international standard and information will be provided once the cause is identified.”

The pilot, Yared Getachew who had been working for the carrier since 2010, sent out a distress call shortly after take-off and was given clearance to return.

The pilot had a cumulative flight hour of more than 800 and was commanding the flight with first officer Ahmed Nur who had a flight hour of 200.

Ethiopian state media has stated that the casualties were of more than 30 nationalities.

They included 32 Kenyans, 9 Ethiopians, 18 Canadians, 8 Chinese, 8 Americans, 8 Italians, 7 French, 7 British, 6 Egyptians, 5 Dutch, 4 Indians, 4 Slovaks, 1 Nigerian, 1 Togolese and 2 Spaniards.

See the full list below:

 

Other world leaders pay tribute

Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta tweeted condolences to the families of those on board the Ethiopian Airlines flight.

32 Kenyans were lost in the incident.

“We are saddened by the news of an Ethiopian Airlines passenger aircraft that is reported to have crashed 6 minutes after takeoff en route to Kenya. My prayers go to all the families and associates of those on board,” he tweeted.

Zimbabwean president, Emmerson Mnangagwa also in a tweet said, “I send my condolences and prayers to all the families of those who lost their lives today on the Ethiopian Airlines flight to Nairobi. Our thoughts and strength go out to our African brothers and sisters and all those affected by this terrible tragedy.

Ugandan president has also extended his ‘heartfelt prayers’ to those affected.

In a tweet hours after the news broke, he said “I have, with sadness, received news about the crash of the Ethiopian Airlines flight which was destined for Nairobi from Addis Ababa. On Uganda’s behalf, I send heartfelt prayers and condolences to all those affected by this tragedy.”

A spokesman for India’s ministry of external affairs, Raveesh Kumar, says its embassy in Addis Ababa is in touch with local authorities and Ethiopian Airlines.

Our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones in the crash of #EthiopianAirlines passenger aircraft today. We are informed that four Indian nationals were on the flight. Our Mission in Addis Ababa is in touch with the airlines & local authorities.

Four Indian citizens were on board the flight when it crashed.

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has also sent his condolences to the victims’ families and praised Ethiopian Airlines as “one of the world’s most successful and efficient airlines”.

I am profoundly saddened by the news of the crash involving @flyethiopian, one of the world’s most successful and efficient Airlines. On behalf of the Govt & people of Nigeria, I extend sincere condolences to PM Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia, and to all the countries that lost citizens.

One Nigerian was involved in the crash.

Tanzania’s Magafuli also said I am deeply saddened to hear about the crash of the Ethiopian Airlines’ Boeing 737 which occurred early today. I seize this occasion to express my profound condolences to all the bereaved families and to all Heads of State whose people’s lives have been claimed by this accident.

Who are the deceased persons?

Names of the deceased persons have started coming out as families and colleagues mourn them.

Kenyan Premier League football club Sofapaka FC tweeted that Hussein Swaleh, the Secretary-General of Football Kenya Federation (FKF), was on board flight ET302 that crashed.

David Beasley, executive director of the World Food Programme, also tweeted that staff members were on board the Ethiopian Airlines flight.

A UNDP consultant attached to India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ms Shikha Garg was also involved in the crash.

Karim Saafi, the co-chair of the African Diaspora Youth Forum in Europe (ADYFE), was one of those killed on the flight.

By: Jonas Nyabor | citinewsroom.com | Ghana

Source: citifmonline.com