Georgetown Student Among 157 Dead In Ethiopian Airlines Crash

WASHINGTON, DC — A third-year law student from Georgetown was among the 157 people who were killed in the Ethiopian Airlines crash on Sunday.

Born and raised in Kenya, Cedric Asiavugwa was flying to Nairobi following the death of his fiancée's mother, according to a Georgetown University statement.

"With his passing, the Georgetown family has lost a stellar student, a great friend to many, and a dedicated champion for social justice across East Africa and the world," the statement read.

Asiavugwa was pursuing a joint degree in International Business and Economic Law.

Before attending Georgetown, Asiavugwa was committed to social justice issues, especially for refugees and marginalized groups across Africa, the university said. He also co-founded an organization that helps protect vulnerable women and children fleeing the war in Somalia, co-directed a television series on peace and reconciliation, and served as the assistant director for advancement at a free high school for HIV/AIDS orphans.

"Beyond his many commitments and contributions, Cedric's friends and faculty in this community remember him as a kind, compassionate and gentle soul, known for his beautifully warm and infectious smile. This is a tragic loss for Cedric's family and loved ones, for Georgetown and for the broader social justice community that benefited every day from his passion, compassion and dedication," according to the statement.

Georgetown will hold a mass for Asiavugwa at 7 p.m. on Monday in Dahlgren Chapel of the Sacred Heart.

On Sunday, Asiavugwa was on board an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to Nairobi, Kenya. The Boeing 737-8 MAX plane lost contact at 8:44 a.m. local time, six minutes after takeoff, Ethiopian Airlines said. The plane crashed near Bishoftu, located southeast of Addis Ababa, killing all 157 people on board.

Among the victims were 32 Kenyans, 18 Canadians, nine Ethiopians, eight Italians, and eight Americans, according to a passenger list published by the airline.

Accident Bulletin no. 3
Issued on March 10, 2019 at 4:59 PM pic.twitter.com/5UOxsbl24f
— Ethiopian Airlines (@flyethiopian) March 10, 2019

At least 21 United Nations personnel were also on that flight, the UN confirmed in a statement.

"A global tragedy has hit close to home - and the UN is united in grief," @antonioguterres following the deaths of at least 21 UN colleagues in #ET302 Ethiopian Air tragedy. https://t.co/ZI5z2u2UpL pic.twitter.com/zNSRy2HH2Y
— United Nations (@UN) March 11, 2019