Ethiopia Plane crash: Environment Ministry consultant among four Indians killed

Environment Ministry consultant was among those killed when a Nairobi-bound Ethiopian Airlines plane crashed after take-off from Addis Ababa, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said. "I am sorry to know about the unfortunate crash of Ethiopian Airlines plane ET 302. We have lost four Indian nationals in the air crash. I have asked Indian High Commissioner in Ethiopia to provide all help and assistance to the bereaved families," Swaraj tweeted. "My colleague Dr Harshvardhan has confirmed that Ms.Shikha Garg is a Consultant with Ministry of Environment and Forests. She was travelling to attend UNEP meeting in Nairobi," Swaraj said.

My colleague Dr.Harshvardhan has confirmed that Ms.Shikha Garg is a Consultant with Ministry of Environment and Forests. She was travelling to attend UNEP meeting in Nairobi. I am trying to reach the families of other Indian nationals. PL RT and help. @IndiaInEthiopia /3

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 10, 2019

Earlier, the Ethiopian Airlines CEO and Kenya's transport minister said Indians, Canadians, Chinese, Americans and others are among the many nationalities among the victims of Sunday morning's deadly plane crash after takeoff from Addis Ababa. Authorities earlier said 32 Kenyans and nine Ethiopians were killed. Now, they add 18 Canadians; eight each from China, the United States and Italy; seven each from France and Britain; six from Egypt; five from the Netherlands and four each from India and Slovakia.

She said the Indian Embassy in Ethiopia has informed her that the deceased Indian nationals are Vaidya Pannagesh Bhaskar, Vaidya Hansin Annagesh, Nukavarapu Manisha and Shikha Garg.

The minister said she is trying to reach the families of other Indian nationals.

She urged people to help her reach the families of those killed.

The airline said "search and rescue operations are in progress and we have no confirmed information about survivors or any possible casualties."        

The plane took off at 8:38 am (0638 GMT) from Bole International Airport and "lost contact" six minutes later.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's office tweeted it "would like to express its 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."

The cause of the crash of the new Boeing 737-8 MAX plane is not immediately known.