Leaders and people around the world are mourning the loss of their loved ones after an Ethiopian Airlines B-737-MAX 8 passenger jet yesterday crashed en route to Nairobi from Addis Ababa, killing all 157 people on board.
Shortly after take-off at 05:38 GMT, the pilot reported an unspecified issue and was given permission to return to the Ethiopian capital’s Bole airport. Minutes later, communication was lost and the plane plunged to the ground near the city of Bishoftu.
The victims – 149 passengers and eight crew members – included at least 35 nationalities. It was not immediately clear what caused the crash.
As the news of the crash united the world in grief, an outpouring of shock and sadness spread on social media.
The U.S. Department of State extended its deepest condolences to the families and friends of those killed in the tragic crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302.
Among the leaders who extended their condolences include the British Prime Minister Theresa May, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UN Secretary General, António Guterres.
The Addis Ababa based diplomatic communities have also joined the world in expressing their condolences to families of the victims.