Briefing journalists in Beirut, Seyoum and his Lebanon counterpart Ali Shamimi said the rescue mission and search for the bodies of the victims of ET-409 will be enhanced for hours to come.

Seyoum, who led the high-level Ethiopian delegation to express heartfelt sympathy to the families of the bereaved families of the victims, also reaffirmed Lebanon government’s determination in scaling up the on-going search and rescue mission.

The cause of the accident is still not determined, the minister said, adding Ethiopia remains keen to learn the real cause of the calamity.

Ali Shamimi said on his part the search and rescue mission was in progress on 100 sq. Km area of the Mediterranean Sea. Divers are searching the victims up to 50-100 meters deep into the sea.

The UN Peacekeeping Mission in Lebanon and the US Navy were also taking part in the rescue mission. However, the ‘Black Box’ of the ill-fated airliner is not yet found.

The rescue mission has so far uncovered 26 bodies. Five of the bodies reported to be Ethiopians. The plane, Boeing 737 jet, carrying 90 people crashed into the sea minutes after taking off from Beirut airport amid violent storms last Monday.