Helsinki – The IOM country office in Finland extends it condolences to everyone affected by the tragic Ethiopian Airlines accident which happened yesterday morning, Sunday 10 March.

The accident has claimed the life of one IOM staff member, Junior Professional Officer Anne-Katrin Feigl, who had been working in Sudan and was on her way to a training course in Nairobi.  

According to early indications, among the 157 deceased passengers, altogether 19 UN staff members perished in the accident. In addition to IOM, the World Food Program (WFP), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the UN Environment Program (UNEP), the World Bank and others also lost colleagues in the tragedy.  

As a mark of respect IOM will fly its flag at half-mast at its offices today. A minute of silence in memory of the victims will be also observed. 

Statement from IOM’s Director-General António Vitorino

Statement attributable to the spokesman for UN Secretary-General