Breaking: 157 dead as Ethiopian Airlines plane crashes

157 people aboard an Ethiopian Airlines plane travelling from Addis Ababa to Nairobi have been confirmed dead after their plane crashed on Sunday, the company confirmed in a statement.

“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,” the company said in a statement.

The Boeing plane is believed to have been carrying 149 passengers and eight crew members.

The airline had informed the public of the search and rescue attempt mission. They had also sent staff of the airline to assist the first responders and emergency personnel.

“At this time search and rescue operations are in progress and we have no confirmed information about survivors or any possible casualities,” the airline had said.

“Ethiopian Airlines staff will be sent to the accident scene and will do everything possible to assist the emergency services,” it added.

After the necessary actions were taken it has now been confirmed that there were no survivors.

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Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed offered his “deepest condolences to the families of those that have lost their loved ones,” his office said on Twitter.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta also wrote on Twitter that he is “saddened” by the crash.

“My prayers go to all the families and associates of those on board,” he added.

There have been previous accidents involving the Ethiopian Airlines in the past. In 2010, a plane traveling from Beirut to Addis Ababa crashed in the Mediterranean Sea killing 90 people.

4 years before, 125 out of 175 people died after the plane was hijacked and crashed.

It is not yet clear what caused the recent accident.

READ: Two planes collide at Kenya international airport