90 feared dead after airplane crashes into sea

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.

At least 34 bodies were recovered, but no survivors were found by nightfall.

The cause of the crash was not immediately known. Lebanon has seen stormy weather since Sunday, with thunder, lightning and rain.