Ethiopian Airlines Flight Crashes Into Sea (16 Photos)

Ethiopian Airlines

An Ethiopian jet carrying 90 people plunged into the sea off the coast of Lebanon in a ball of fire just after takeoff in stormy weather early Monday with no sign of survivors, officials said.

Helicopters and navy vessels rushed to the crash site as President Michel Sleiman ruled out foul play.

Transport Minister Ghazi Aridi said Ethiopian Airlines Flight 409 lost contact with the airport control tower shortly after takeoff and crashed into the Mediterranean sea 2.5 nautical miles off the coastal town of Naameh, south of the airport.

Families of the passengers, some of them weeping, could be seen huddled at the VIP lounge of Beirut International Airport while awaiting news of their loved ones.

Witnesses reported seeing a ball of fire as the Boeing 737 plunged into the sea.

Posted on January 25, 2010 | Filed Under Travel