The Executive Secretary Intergovernmental Authority on Development or IGAD sent his condolences to families and friends who lost their beloved ones following the crash of Ethiopian Airline aircraft in Ethiopia on Sunday morning.
There were 157 passengers including 19 United Nations staff members and the crew in the Ethiopian Airlines jet.
The plane took off from Bole airport in Addis Ababa to the Kenyan, capital Nairobi.
Mahboub Maalim said ‘It is always shocking and sad news to hear of such an accident. It’s even more deeply affecting when it occurs in a country within our region and a flight route all familiar to us’.
‘I cannot seem to find words comforting enough to the families and friends of those who might have lost their lives in this tragedy’, he added.
The Executive Secretary noted that the whole IGAD region and the world are mourning.
‘As this tragedy is unfolding, I pray for the souls of those who have lost their lives to find eternal peace’, he concluded.