ADDIS ABABA: An Ethiopian airlines plane carrying 149 passengers crashed soon after takeoff from here on Sunday. There are no survivors. There were eight crew also on board flight ET302 from the Ethiopian Capital to Nairobi in Kenya.

The passengers included 32 Kenyans, 18 Canadians, nine Ethiopians, eight Italians, eight Chinese, eight Americans, seven Britons, seven French citizens, six Egyptians, five Germans, four Indians, four from Slovakia, three Austrians, three Swedes, three Russians, two Moroccans, two Spaniards, two Poles, two Israelis, and one each from Ireland, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, Belgium, Indonesia, Somalia, Norway, Serbia, Togo, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sudan, Uganda and Yemen.

Several staff of the UN were also on board, who were going to Nairobi to attend an environment conference on Monday. There were also some from the World Food Programme.

WFP director David Beasley tweeted: The WFP family mourns today -- @WFP staff were among those aboard the Ethiopian Airlines flight. We will do all that is humanly possible to help the families at this painful time. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said, “I was deeply saddened to hear of the devastating loss of life following the plane crash in Ethiopia. At this very difficult time my thoughts are with the families and friends of the British citizens on board and all those affected by this tragic incident.”

French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted: "We share their sorrow."

The newly-purchased Boeing 737 Max-8 crashed at 08:44 local time, six minutes after takeoff.

It is reported that the pilot had problems and sought permission to return. The site of crash was the town of Bishoftu, 60 km south-east of the Capital.

Airline sources said, "Pilot Senior Captain Yared Getachew had a commendable performance with more than 8,000 hours in the air." The Ethiopian Airline has a reputation for safety.

Ethiopia has declared Monday a national day of mourning.