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Ethiopian jet crashes off Beirut Ethiopian jet crashes off Beirut
(about 1 hour later)
An Ethiopian Airlines passenger plane with 89 people on board has crashed into the Mediterranean Sea shortly after take-off from Beirut airport.An Ethiopian Airlines passenger plane with 89 people on board has crashed into the Mediterranean Sea shortly after take-off from Beirut airport.
Eyewitnesses say they saw a ball of fire in the sky before Addis Ababa-bound Flight ET409 fell into the sea after taking off in stormy weather.Eyewitnesses say they saw a ball of fire in the sky before Addis Ababa-bound Flight ET409 fell into the sea after taking off in stormy weather.
At least nine bodies have been found, and the airline's chief executive said there was no word of survivors. At least 14 bodies have been found, and the airline's chief executive said there was no word of survivors.
Most of those on board were Lebanese or Ethiopian. There were also two Britons.Most of those on board were Lebanese or Ethiopian. There were also two Britons.
ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES State-owned carrier flying to 56 destinationsOperates only Boeing aircraftFirst crash since 1996, when hijacked plane ditched into sea off ComorosGood safety record, considered an exception among African airlines In pictures: Lebanon plane crash
The other passengers included citizens of Turkey, France, Russia, Canada, Syria and Iraq, Ethiopian Airlines said in a statement on its website.The other passengers included citizens of Turkey, France, Russia, Canada, Syria and Iraq, Ethiopian Airlines said in a statement on its website.
Among them was the wife of the French ambassador in Beirut, Marla Pietton.Among them was the wife of the French ambassador in Beirut, Marla Pietton.
Some of the foreign passengers are reported to be of Lebanese origin and in possession of dual citizenship.
The plane, a Boeing 737-800, was carrying 80 passengers, including small children, and nine crew. This model can seat 189 passengers.The plane, a Boeing 737-800, was carrying 80 passengers, including small children, and nine crew. This model can seat 189 passengers.
It disappeared from radar screens some five minutes after take-off in stormy weather at about 0200 local time, near the village of Naameh, about 3.5km (2 miles) from the coast.It disappeared from radar screens some five minutes after take-off in stormy weather at about 0200 local time, near the village of Naameh, about 3.5km (2 miles) from the coast.
'Flash in the sky''Flash in the sky'
The BBC's Natalia Antelava, in Beirut, reports that the Lebanese transport minister and other officials say a rescue operation including helicopters and naval ships is now under way, but it is unclear if there are any survivors. Helicopters and naval ships are searching the crash site. It is still being described as a rescue operation, although officials say it is unlikely anyone will be found.
The United Nations peacekeeping operation in Lebanon has sent three ships and two helicopters.The United Nations peacekeeping operation in Lebanon has sent three ships and two helicopters.
class="" href="/2/hi/in_pictures/8478201.stm">In pictures: Lebanon plane crash The plane took off in very heavy rain
An investigative team has been dispatched to the scene, Ethiopian Airlines said.An investigative team has been dispatched to the scene, Ethiopian Airlines said.
The cause of the crash was not immediately clear, but the plane took off in a heavy rainstorm.The cause of the crash was not immediately clear, but the plane took off in a heavy rainstorm.
Lebanese President Michel Suleiman said foul play was not suspected.Lebanese President Michel Suleiman said foul play was not suspected.
"As of now, a sabotage act is unlikely. The investigation will uncover the cause," he said."As of now, a sabotage act is unlikely. The investigation will uncover the cause," he said.
"The weather conditions are terrible, but rescue efforts are still under way.""The weather conditions are terrible, but rescue efforts are still under way."
A witness , Abdel Mahdi Salaneh, told the BBC he saw the plane fall into the sea in flames.A witness , Abdel Mahdi Salaneh, told the BBC he saw the plane fall into the sea in flames.
"We saw a flash in the sky...," he said. We saw a flash over the sea and it was the plane falling. The weather was really bad, it was all thunder and rain.""We saw a flash in the sky...," he said. We saw a flash over the sea and it was the plane falling. The weather was really bad, it was all thunder and rain."
The BBC's Will Ross in Nairobi says the crash is likely to invite comparisons with the Kenya Airways crash in Cameroon in 2007, in which 114 people died.The BBC's Will Ross in Nairobi says the crash is likely to invite comparisons with the Kenya Airways crash in Cameroon in 2007, in which 114 people died.
Both incidents involved Boeing 737-800 aircraft taking off in bad weather.Both incidents involved Boeing 737-800 aircraft taking off in bad weather.
Relatives of the passengers have begun arriving at the airport. Relatives of the passengers, some of them sobbing, have gathered in the airport's VIP lounge.
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri and parliament speaker Nabih Berri and other officials arrived to comfort families.
Ethiopia and Lebanon share close business ties, and thousands of Ethiopians are employed as domestic helpers in Lebanon.Ethiopia and Lebanon share close business ties, and thousands of Ethiopians are employed as domestic helpers in Lebanon.
Fleet expandingFleet expanding
Ethiopian Airlines operates a regular flight between Addis Ababa and Beirut.Ethiopian Airlines operates a regular flight between Addis Ababa and Beirut.
Our correspondent says that along with South African and Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines is widely considered to be among sub-Saharan Africa's best operators.Our correspondent says that along with South African and Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines is widely considered to be among sub-Saharan Africa's best operators.
And on a continent with a history of national airlines folding often due to reckless financial mismanagement, he says, Ethiopian Airlines is expanding its fleet and was the first African airline to order the world's largest commercial passenger plane - the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. And on a continent with a history of national airlines folding often due to reckless financial mismanagement, he says, Ethiopian Airlines is expanding its fleet and was the first African airline to order the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
It has also just announced the purchase of another 10 737-800s, at a cost of $750m.It has also just announced the purchase of another 10 737-800s, at a cost of $750m.
Its last major crash was in 1996, when a hijacked Nairobi-Addis Ababa plane was ditched into the sea off the Comoros Islands after running out of fuel.Its last major crash was in 1996, when a hijacked Nairobi-Addis Ababa plane was ditched into the sea off the Comoros Islands after running out of fuel.
One hundred and twenty-three of the 175 people on board were killed.One hundred and twenty-three of the 175 people on board were killed.
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