An Ethiopian airliner carrying 92 passengers and crew has crashed into the Mediterranean Sea after taking off from Beirut in stormy weather.

The Boeing 737 reportedly crashed about five minutes after leaving Beirut

“Ethiopian Airlines Flight 409 crashed about five minutes after takeoff at 2.30 am (0030 GMT) with 83 passengers and nine crew members,” said a Lebanese airport official.

Witnesses saw a ball of fire as the Boeing 737 plunged into the sea, he said.

The official added that rescuers were trying to reach the plane to determine whether there were any survivors.

Another official said 54 Lebanese nationals were among the passengers headed to the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.

Transport Minister Ghazi Aridi went to Beirut Rafiq Hariri International Airport, on the outskirts of the city.

The Boeing 737-800, which entered into commercial service in 1998, is one of the latest versions of the world’s most widely used short to medium-haul airliners, and is capable of carrying up to 189 passengers.

The accident took place during heavy rain and storms in Lebanon in the past two days that have caused heavy flooding and damages in some part of the country.

Hundreds of Ethiopians work as domestic helpers in Lebanon.

More to follow…