Tragic Ethiopian Airlines Crash Claims Lives of Eight Americans

An Ethiopian Airlines plane crashed on Sunday killing all 157 passengers. The airline has confirmed that eight Americans were onboard.

In a deadly crash on Sunday, an Ethiopian airline plummeted to the ground just minutes after taking off from Ethiopia's capital. According to the airline and reports, there were 157 people on board the plane at the time of the crash.

Ethiopian Airlines revealed that everyone on board is presumed dead. They went on to confirm that there were 8 American passengers on the flight.

"At this time search and rescue operations are in progress and we have no confirmed information about survivors or any possible casualties," the airline said.

Flight ET302 took off from Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa at 8:38 a.m. local time. It was headed for Nairobi, Kenya.

According to airline officials, it lost contact six minutes after take off. It is believed that the flight had 149 passengers and 8 crew members on board.

In addition to the eight victims from the United States, there were also thirty-two Kenyans, nine Ethiopians and eight people from China and Italy respectively. As well as seven passengers from France, seven from Britain, six from Egypt, five from the Netherlands, four from India and four from Slovenia.

"We extend our sincerest sympathies to all who are impacted by this tragic event," said the U.S. Embassy in a statement. "We are in contact with the Government of Ethiopia and Ethiopian Airlines to offer all possible assistance, and to determine the status of any Americans who may have been on board."

The plane was a new Boeing 737 Max 8. It is the same type of plane that crashed in Indonesia in November, killing the 189 people on board. Boeing said it was "deeply saddened" about the crash.

"We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families and loved ones of the passengers and crew on board and stand ready to support the Ethiopian Airlines team," the company said in a statement.