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U.S. State Department Reversed a Security Alert Hours Before Ethiopian Airlines Flight Crashed

OMINOUS WARNING

The warning advising Americans not to fly into or out of Addis Abba Bole was lifted shortly before the tragedy.

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Tiksa Negeri/REUTERS

The U.S. State Department reversed a March 8 travel alert for Americans traveling in Ethiopia just hours before the fatal crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302. The update reversed a warning to Americans from traveling into or out of Addis Abba Bole airport on Sunday, March 10. According to the original safety alert, “U.S. Government travelers have been advised not to arrive or depart Bole International Airport on Sunday, March 10, and U.S. Embassy personnel are also temporarily prohibited from traveling to Oromia.” The warning was due to protests scheduled in the Ethiopian capital. An update issued just hours before the fatal crash took off, killing eight Americans and 149 others, said it was now considered safe to travel to and from the airport. “U.S. Government travelers may arrive or depart from Bole International Airport on Sunday, March 10.”

 

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