Carleton U professor among 18 Canadians involved in fatal Ethiopian Airlines crash

A professor from Carleton University has been confirmed as one of the 18 Canadians killed in an Ethiopian Airlines crash on Sunday.

Professor Pius Adesanmi was confirmed by Global Affairs Canada as one of the 157 people involved in the Ethiopian Airlines crash that departed from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and left no survivors.

The Carleton community is mourning the loss of Pius Adesanmi, director of the Institute of African Studies, who was among the 18 Canadians killed in today’s Ethiopian Airlines disaster. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. https://t.co/IxCwkfQWRG

— Carleton University News (@CUnewsroom) March 10, 2019

“Pius was a towering figure in African and post-colonial scholarship and his sudden loss is a tragedy,” said Benoit-Antoine Bacon, Carleton president and vice-chancellor.

Pauline Rankin, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, called Adesanmi a "teacher of the highest calibre."

“He worked tirelessly to build the Institute of African Studies, to share his boundless passion for African literature and to connect with and support students."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was “deeply saddened” by the plane crash and the lives claimed by the incident, expressing his condolences to family, friends and loved ones of the deceased.

Canadians join people around the world in mourning the loss of so many lives today. Our hearts are breaking for the families and friends of the 18 Canadians who were killed. Please read my full statement on the tragic plane crash in Ethiopia: https://t.co/FG3wVmu5m8

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 10, 2019

“We are providing consular assistance and working closely with authorities to gather further information,” he said.

An investigation is currently being conducted to determine what caused the Ethiopian Airlines flight to crash six minutes after departing from Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, on its way to Nairobi, Kenya.

The Office of the PM, on behalf of the Government and people of Ethiopia, would like to express it’s deepest condolences to the families of those that have lost their loved ones on Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 on regular scheduled flight to Nairobi, Kenya this morning.

— Office of the Prime Minister - Ethiopia (@PMEthiopia) March 10, 2019

Ethiopian Airlines said it has contacted the families of the victims and will soon conduct forensic investigations to identify the 149 passengers and eight crew.

The Ethiopian pilot sent out a distress call and was given clearance to return to the airport in Addis Ababa, the airline’s CEO said, but contact to the plane was lost shortly after.

PM Abiy Ahmed shared his condolences in a televised address on behalf of the FDRE Government.

The House of People’s Representatives have declared March 11, 2019 a national day of mourning for citizens of all countries that have passed in this tragic accident. #PMOEthiopia pic.twitter.com/F0aA1sPnYP

— Office of the Prime Minister - Ethiopia (@PMEthiopia) March 10, 2019

According to the Office of the Ethiopian Prime Minister, March 11, 2019, has been established as a national day of mourning to commemorate the victims of the crash, which represented 35 different nationalities.

A UN official said the United Nations expects that about a dozen passengers of the fallen plane were affiliated to a major UN environmental meeting scheduled to start Monday in Nairobi.

UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, said that staff members and colleagues from the UN were among the victims.

With files from The Canadian Press