Ethiopian airliner with 92 passengers crashes on takeoff in Lebanon
Tigrai Online
Jan. 25 2009
An Ethiopian airliner transporting 92 passengers and crew crashed in stormy weather following takeoff in Lebanon early Monday, plunging into the Mediterranean sea, an airport official told AFP.
"Ethiopian Airlines Flight 409 crashed about five minutes after takeoff at 2:30 am (1230 GMT) with 83 passengers and nine crew members," the airport official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
He said witnesses saw a ball of fire as the the Boeing 737-800 plunged into the sea. The official said rescuers were trying to reach the plane to determine whether there were any survivors.
Another official said among the passengers headed to the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa were 54 Lebanese nationals.
Transport Minister Ghazi Aridi rushed to Beirut Rafiq Hariri International Airport, located on the outkirts of the city, and was to give a statement shortly.