Statement of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi on the crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 302

GENEVA - It is with great sadness and shock that I have learned today that UNHCR colleagues were among the passengers of the Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 302 which crashed in Ethiopia this morning. Colleagues from the United Nations and other partners were also on board.

Ethiopian Airlines has confirmed that there were no survivors.

We are working to confirm how many UNHCR colleagues were among those on board the tragic flight. We are following through our procedures to inform the families and assist them at this heart-breaking and painful time.

UNHCR has suffered today a huge loss. Our deepest sympathies are with the families and loved ones of our colleagues and all others we have so tragically lost today.