Ethiopian Airlines last evening flew 64 relatives of the Kenyans who died in the Sunday plane crash to Addis to identify bodies.
They were received by Transport PS Esther Koimett and embassy staff, led by ambassador Catherine Mwangi. They booked into hotels in the Ethiopian capital.
The ET302 flight crash claimed 157 lives, including eight crew members. It crashed six minutes after takeoff in Bishoftu, some 60km southeast of Bole International Airport.
Kenya suffered the greatest fatalities, 32. The plane was heading to Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. By yesterday, the government had contacted relatives of 25 Kenyans.
Transport CS James Macharia on Monday said efforts were being made to contact seven families who were yet to be reached.
The airline’s manager in charge of Kenyan operations, Yilma Gobena, said they were willing to help with travel arrangements and accommodation for the bereaved families.
“Concerning families and relatives who’d like to travel, we’re ready to assist to take them to Addis, give them accommodation, then constant updates will be given from the other side,” Gobena told the media.
This morning, Ethiopian Airlines and government officials are expected to brief the relatives on the state of affairs.
“It’s a difficult moment for the friends and relatives so we are doing our best to provide all the information as we get it,” Koimett said.
Israel and South Africa have sent forensic experts to help with the identification.
Due to the impact and ensuing fire, the identification of some remains could take weeks or months and may need to be done via dental records or DNA, an industry expert told Reuters.