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Britons on Lebanon crash airliner | Britons on Lebanon crash airliner |
(19 minutes later) | |
Two Britons were on board an Ethiopian Airlines plane which crashed shortly after take-off from the Lebanese capital Beirut, it has been confirmed. | 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. |
At least 21 bodies have been recovered, and there has been no news of anyone surviving the crash. | |
The Foreign Office said one British national and one with dual nationality were on board Flight ET409. | The Foreign Office said one British national and one with dual nationality were on board Flight ET409. |
A British RAF helicopter, based in Cyprus, has joined the Lebanese authorities' search-and-rescue operation. | A British RAF helicopter, based in Cyprus, has joined the Lebanese authorities' search-and-rescue operation. |
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "Our thoughts are with the families of all those involved in this tragedy." | |
No further details about the two people would be released until next of kin had been informed, the spokeswoman added. | |
Passenger list | Passenger list |
Ethiopian Airlines said there were 82 passengers and 8 crew on board the flight. | |
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. |
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. |
Lebanon's transport minister Ghazi Aridi said the plane took off at about 0230 local time (0030 GMT), before crashing 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. | The Foreign Office said British nationals requiring consular assistance should contact its office on 00961 (0) 3 345520. |