President Edgar Lungu has sent messages of condolences to the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and his Kenyan counterpart President Uhuru Kenyatta on the tragic plane crash which claimed 157 lives on March 10th, 2019.

An Ethiopian Airline Boeing 737 bound for Nairobi crashed shortly after take-off on Sunday morning, killing all 149 passengers and eight crew members on board, making it the second fatal crash of the new and popular Boeing jet in less than five months.

Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda said in a statement that President Lungu expressed great sorrow on the tragic crash of Ethiopian Airlines in his message of condolences to Ethiopia’s Prime Minister.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with our sisterly counties that are affected by the loss. We mourn with you and pray that the Almighty God grants the people of Ethiopia courage and strength during this trying period. Allow me on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Zambia and indeed on my own behalf to convey to your Excellency and the bereaved families, our sincere and heartfelt condolences on the sudden and painful loss of their beloved ones,” Chanda quoted President Lungu as saying.

And in a message of condolences to President Kenyatta, the Head of State said the Zambian government conveyed sincere and heartfelt condolences on the tragic and shocking loss of 32 Kenyan nationals who died in the plane crash.

“Our thought and prayers are with your Excellency. We mourn with you and pray that the Almighty God grants the people of Kenya courage and fortitude during this difficult period. Once again, please accept, your Excellency, our heartfelt condolences and the assurances of my highest consideration,” said President Lungu.

Chanda further disclosed that the President acknowledged that the Ethiopian Airlines was the pride of Africa and that it was indeed a tragedy to have lost so many lives on flight 302.