Ethiopia plane crash: 4 Indians among 157 killed confirms Swaraj

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has confirmed the death of 4 Indian nationals among 157 people who were killed in Boeing 737 Ethiopia plane crash. The name of UN Development Programme consultant was also included in the list of Indian passengers who lost their lives in the crash. The plane lost contact 6 minutes later after takeoff from Addis Ababa.

New Delhi: Four Indians, including a UN consultant attached with the Environment Ministry, were among those killed when a Nairobi-bound Ethiopian Airlines plane crashed after taking-off from Addis Ababa, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Sunday.

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The Boeing 737 crashed minutes after an early-morning takeoff from Addis Ababa, killing all eight crew and 149 passengers on board, including tourists, business travellers, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) consultant attached with the Environment Ministry, Shikha Garg, who was on her way to attend a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) meeting.

"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.

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.

"My colleague Dr Harsh Vardhan (Environment Minister) has confirmed that Ms.Shikha Garg is a Consultant with the Ministry of Environment and Forests. She was travelling to attend the UNEP meeting in Nairobi," Swaraj said.

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.

"My condolences to the families of four Indian nationals who have died in an unfortunate crash of Ethiopian Airlines. Sadly, a UNDP consultant attached to my ministry @moefcc Ms Shikha Garg, also died in the crash. My prayers for the departed souls," Harsh Vardhan tweeted.

People from 35 countries were reportedly on board flight ET 302 when it ploughed into a field 60 kilometres southeast of Addis Ababa.

Ethiopian Airlines said the plane had taken off at 8:38 am (0538 GMT) from Bole International Airport and "lost contact" six minutes later.

It came down near Tulu Fara village outside the town of Bishoftu.

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The carrier, which changed its logo on Twitter to black and white from its trademark green, yellow, and red, said "there are no survivors".

Ethiopian Airlines said Kenya had the largest number of casualties with 32, followed by Canada with 18, Ethiopia 9, then Italy, China, and the United States with 8 each, reports stated.

Britain and France each had seven people on board, Egypt had six, and Germany had five citizens. Twelve were from African nations and 14 were from European nations among the victims.