Ethiopian Airliner Crashes into Sea After Takeoff from Beirut

BEIRUT (Catholic Online) - Lebanese aviation officials say an Ethiopian Airlines plane with 90 people on board has crashed into the Mediterranean Sea shortly after taking off from Beirut in stormy weather.

Officials say 83 passengers and nine crew members were on the Boeing 737 aircraft that disappeared from radar minutes after taking off from Beirut International Airport early Monday.

Witnesses on the coast reported seeing a ball of fire as the plane plunged into the sea.

The aircraft was on its way to the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa from Beirut. Officials say at least 54 of the passengers were Lebanese nationals, along with 22 Ethiopians.

Officials say Marla Pietton, the wife of France's ambassador to Lebanon, Denis Pietton, was among the passengers on the plane.

The crash took place amid heavy rains and storms in Lebanon that have hit the area in the past few days.

Lebanese officials have launched a search and rescue operation for possible survivors.

An investigation into what caused the crash is under way.

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