President Jacob Zuma on Monday sent condolences to the Ethiopian and Lebanese governments and the families of people who died when a passenger plane crashed into the Mediterranean Sea.

"On behalf of the government and the people of South Africa I wish to extend our condolences to the governments and the people of Ethiopia and Lebanon and the families of the passengers on Ethiopian airline flight 409," Zuma said in a statement.

The plane, carrying 83 passengers and seven crew, crashed into the sea four minutes after taking off from Beirut's international airport.

It was carrying Lebanese, Ethiopian, Iraqi, Syrian, British and French nationals.

"We wish the Lebanese rescue and recovery team deployed at the scene of the crash every success in their efforts," said Zuma. - Sapa