A Nairobi-bound Ethiopian Airlines Plane crashed soon after take off from Addis Ababa killing 157 including all eight crew. Among the passengers there were Four Indians, including an Environment Ministry consultant. According to reports, at least a dozen of the victims were affiliated with the UN.

Embassy in Ethiopia has informed that the deceased Indian nationals have been identified as Vaidya Pannagesh Bhaskar, Vaidya Hansin Annagesh, Nukavarapu Manisha and Shikha Garg.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has urged the Indian High Commissioner in Ethiopia to provide all help and assistance to the families of those killed in the plane crash.

Swaraj tweeted that Garg was a Consultant with the Ministry of Environment and Forests and she was travelling to attend UNEP meeting in Nairobi. The Minister of External Affairs said she is trying to reach the families of other Indian nationals and also sought help in finding the families.

It is believed some passengers could have been heading to a session of the UN Environment Assembly which begins in Nairobi today.  UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed sadness at the tragic loss of lives and conveyed his sympathies and solidarity with the victims' families.