"The [Ethiopian Airlines Group] CEO who is at the accident scene right now regrets to confirm that there are no survivors," the airline said in a statement.

"It is too early to speculate the cause of the accident and further investigation will be carried out to find out the cause of the accident..."

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed his condolences in a televised address, while Ethiopia's House of People's Representatives declared March 11, 2019 a national day of mourning. Ahmed also visited the accident site Sunday afternoon.

PM Abiy Ahmed shared his condolences in a televised address on behalf of the FDRE Government.

The House of People’s Representatives have declared March 11, 2019 a national day of mourning for citizens of all countries that have passed in this tragic accident. #PMOEthiopia pic.twitter.com/F0aA1sPnYP
— Office of the Prime Minister - Ethiopia (@PMEthiopia) March 10, 2019

The Office of the PM, on behalf of the Government and people of Ethiopia, would like to express it’s deepest condolences to the families of those that have lost their loved ones on Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 on regular scheduled flight to Nairobi, Kenya this morning.
— Office of the Prime Minister - Ethiopia (@PMEthiopia) March 10, 2019

Weather observations are sparse in the area of the crash, but indications point toward generally clear conditions and light winds at the time of the incident.

Rain and wind from powerful Cyclone Idai impacted areas well to the south of where the plane went down.

The weather for recovery efforts will remain dry into Wednesday, with sunshine each day and high temperatures near 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius).

Rescue workers at Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, outside Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March 11, 2019, where Ethiopia Airlines Flight 302 crashed Sunday. Investigators are trying to determine the cause of a deadly crash Sunday involving a new aircraft model touted for its environmentally friendly engine that is used by many airlines worldwide. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene)

Air traffic controllers lost contact with the plane six minutes after it took off at 8:38 a.m. local time from Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, according to the Associated Press.

The plane was en route to Nairobi, Kenya.

5 years after MH370’s disappearance: Will the search continue in the greatest aviation mystery of modern history?

Dozens injured as severe turbulence interferes with flight heading to JFK Airport

Deadly Idai to threaten more lives, property as it makes landfall on Mozambique

Authorities have stated that the plane was transporting people from many nationalities, including from Canada, China, France, Ethiopia, Italy, Kenya and the United States.

The Associated Press reports people from 35 countries were on board. Several were reportedly traveling to a key United Nations environmental meeting in Nairobi on Monday.

According to the U.S. Department of State, at least eight U.S. citizens were among the victims of the crash.

The plane was a fairly new aircraft and had been delivered to Ethiopian Airlines last November.

The National Transportation Safety Board said it was sending a team to the crash site to assist with the investigation.

The NTSB is sending a team of four to support the Ethiopian Accident Investigations Bureau's investigation of Sunday's crash. The NTSB team has expertise in systems/structures, powerplants and operations and will be assisted by technical advisers from FAA, Boeing and GE.
— NTSB Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) March 10, 2019

Report a Typo