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Ethiopian Airliner Crashes into Sea After Takeoff from Beirut

   Lebanese aviation officials say an Ethiopian Airlines plane with about
   90  people  on  board  has  crashed into the Mediterranean sea shortly
   after taking off from Beirut International Airport in stormy weather.

   Bruce Allen 24 January 2010
   Map of Beirut, Lebanon

   Lebanese  aviation  officials  say  an  Ethiopian  Airlines  plane has
   crashed  into  the  Mediterranean  sea  shortly  after taking off from
   Beirut International Airport in stormy weather.
   Officials  say  about 90 passengers and crew members were on board the
   Boeing  737  aircraft  that  disappeared  from the radar shortly after
   takeoff 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.   At  least  54  of  the passengers on the plane were Lebanese
   nationals.
   The  accident took place amid heavy rains and storms in Lebanon in the
   past few days.
   Lebanese  officials  have  launched  a search and rescue operation for
   possible survivors.
   Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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