THE pilot of an Ethiopian Airlines plane that crashed flew in the opposite direction from the path recommended by the control tower after taking off from Beirut in thunderstorms, Lebanon’s transportation minister said yesterday.

AN Ethiopian Airlines plane carrying 90 people caught fire and crashed into the sea minutes after taking off from Beirut early yesterday, setting off a frantic search as passenger seats, baby sandals and other debris washed ashore.

An Ethiopian Airlines plane carrying 90 people crashed into the Mediterranean Sea in flames early today, just minutes after take-off from Beirut, authorities said.