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Britons feared dead in air crash Britons on Lebanon crash airliner
(about 1 hour later)
Two Britons are feared dead after an Ethiopian Airlines plane crashed shortly after take-off from the Lebanese capital Beirut. Two Britons were on board an Ethiopian Airlines plane which crashed shortly after take-off from the Lebanese capital Beirut, it has been confirmed.
The Boeing 737 bound for Addis Ababa in Ethiopia fell into the Mediterranean in a ball of fire with 90 people on board.The Boeing 737 bound for Addis Ababa in Ethiopia fell into the Mediterranean in a ball of fire with 90 people on board.
Lebanon transport minister Ghazi Aridi said two Britons of Lebanese origin were among passengers on Flight ET409. At least 14 bodies have been recovered, and there has been no news of anyone surviving the crash.
The Foreign Office said it was unable to confirm whether any Britons were on board but was looking into the reports. The Foreign Office said one British national and one with dual nationality were on board Flight ET409.
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are trying to find out. Our embassy staff are checking and trying to find out as much as they can." A British RAF helicopter, based in Cyprus, has joined the Lebanese authorities' search-and-rescue operation.
Bodies recovered A Foreign Office spokesman said: "Our thoughts are with the families of all those involved in this tragedy."
Passenger list
Ethiopian Airlines said there were 82 passengers and 8 crew on board.Ethiopian Airlines said there were 82 passengers and 8 crew on board.
The passenger list included two Britons, 51 Lebanese, 23 Ethiopians, and one person each from Canada, France, Russia, Turkey, Syria and Iraq.The passenger list included two Britons, 51 Lebanese, 23 Ethiopians, and one person each from Canada, France, Russia, Turkey, Syria and Iraq.
At least 14 bodies have been recovered, and there has been no news of any survivors.
The cause of the crash is being investigated, but police have ruled out terrorism.The cause of the crash is being investigated, but police have ruled out terrorism.
Mr Aridi said the plane took off at about 0230 local time (0030 GMT), and crashed two miles off the coast. Lebanon's transport minister Ghazi Aridi said the plane took off at about 0230 local time (0030 GMT), and crashed two miles off the coast.
An Ethiopian Airlines statement said: "A team is already working on gathering all pertinent information.An Ethiopian Airlines statement said: "A team is already working on gathering all pertinent information.
"An investigative team has already been dispatched to the scene and we will release further information as further updates are received.""An investigative team has already been dispatched to the scene and we will release further information as further updates are received."
The Foreign Office said British nationals requiring consular assistance should contact its office on 00961 (0) 3 345520.