The fatal crash of Nairobi-bound Boeing 737 on Sunday killed 149 passengers, among whom were four Indians and eight crew on board, Ethiopian Airlines confirmed as leaders across the world offered condolences to distraught next-of-kin.
The crash took place just six minutes after an early morning takeoff from Addis Ababa.
The Indian Embassy in Ethiopia identified the deceased passengers as Vaidya Pannagesh Bhaskar, Vaidya Hansin Annagesh, Nukavarapu Manisha and Shikha Garg.
“I am sorry to know about the unfortunate crash of Ethiopian Airlines plane ET 302. We have lost four Indian nationals in the air crash. I have asked Indian High Commissioner in Ethiopia to provide all help and assistance to the bereaved families,” tweeted Sushma Swaraj, who also took to Twitter to help her reach out to the families.
I am sorry to know about the unfortunate crash of Ethiopian Airlines plane ET 302. We have lost four Indian nationals in the air crash. I have asked Indian High Commissioner in Ethiopia to provide all help and assistance to the bereaved families. @IndiaInEthiopia
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 10, 2019
One of the four Indian passengers, Shikha Garg, was a Consultant with Ministry of Environment and Forests. She was traveling to attend United Nations Environment Programme meeting in Nairobi, said Union Minister Harsh Vardhan.
“Our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones in the crash of Ethiopian Airlines passenger aircraft today. We are informed that four Indian nationals were on the flight. We are in touch with the airlines and local authorities,” said the Indian Embassy in Ethiopia.
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. We are in touch with the airlines & local authorities.
— India in Ethiopia (@IndiaInEthiopia) March 10, 2019
Ethiopian Airlines Chief Executive Officer Tewolde Gebremariam said passengers from more than 30 countries were on board the flight, according to BBC report. They included 32 Kenyans, 18 Canadians, 9 Ethiopians, 8 Italians, 8 Chinese, 8 Americans, 7 Britons, 7 French, 6 Egyptians, 5 Dutch citizens, 4 Indians and 4 from Slovakia.
Three Austrians, 3 Swedes, 3 Russians, 2 Moroccans, 2 Spaniards, 2 Poles, and 2 Israelis were also on the flight.
One passenger each belonged to Belgium, Indonesia, Somalia, Norway, Serbia, Togo, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sudan, Uganda, and Yemen.
The cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained.
By Sowmya Sangam
