An Ethiopian Airlines aircraft that took off from Beirut airport has crashed into the Mediterranean Sea with 90 people on board, confirms an airline spokesman.
"The incident has happened, and we have dispatched an investigation team to Beirut. We don't have clear information besides that at the moment," he adds.
Media reports quoting the Lebanese transport minister say the crash site has been identified, and search and rescue operations are going there. No survivors have been found yet, add the reports.
Flight ET409 reportedly taken off in stormy weather, say the reports,
Bound for the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, the aircraft lost contact with Lebanese air controllers shortly after take-off from Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport at 02:35hr, says the airline.
Ethiopian operates a daily flight between Beirut and Addis Ababa with Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
The ill-fated aircraft was carrying 82 passengers and eight Ethiopian crew members, says the airline.
"A team is already working on gathering all pertinent information we will release further information as further updates are received," says Ethiopian.
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