Ethiopian authorities confirm no South African aboard crashed airliner

Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – Ethiopian authorities have confirmed that no South Africans were on board the Nairobi-bound Boeing 737 which crashed minutes after take-off from Addis Ababa on Sunday killing all 149 passengers and eight crew on board.

Ethiopian Airlines said passengers from 35 countries were on board flight ET 302 which plunged into a field 60 kilometres southeast of the capital

Africa's largest carrier said the Boeing 737-800MAX "lost contact" six minutes after departing and it crashed near the village of Tulu Fara.

African Union commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat expressed his "utter shock and immense sadness" at the tragedy.

In another development, South Africa’s official opposition Democratic Alliance Sunday extended its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of those who lost their lives.

“We mourn with the people of Ethiopia and all those who have been affected by this tragedy,” said DA MP Refiloe Ntsekhe.

-0-  PANA  CU/RA 10Mar2019