ET-302 Memorial Monument & Park

Aron Simeneh

• Architects

On March 10, 2019, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 tragically claimed 157 lives. Families and loved ones gathered at the crash site in the aftermath, and by December 2019, Boeing had pledged to fund a memorial. A ten-member family committee was formed to work with Boeing, Ethiopian Airlines, and local authorities, ensuring the project would be carried out with dignity and sensitivity.

Following an international design competition organized by the Association of Ethiopian Architects, Alebel Desta Consulting Architects and Engineers were selected in February 2022 for a concept grounded in three guiding principles: absence (reflecting loss), revelation (uncovering the story), and healing (providing solace). The ET-302 Memorial Monument & Park was inaugurated on March 10, 2025, the sixth anniversary of the crash, during a ceremony attended by nearly 1,200 people.

photo_credit Aron Simeneh — Aron Simeneh

Sacred Sites & Pathways

The memorial is anchored by two sacred spaces: the Crash Site and the Burial Ground. A primary pathway from the southwest recounts the flight’s final six minutes and forty-four seconds, guiding visitors toward the central monument. A secondary path from the northwest offers a quieter, reflective route, while additional trails connect to the amphitheatre, rock garden, and gathering spaces.

The Burial Ground, preserved in its natural state, is a 28-meter-diameter sacred circle encircled by a concrete walkway and inclined steel rails. Visitors are invited to engage with the space respectfully from the outer path, ensuring silence and reflection.

The Monument

At the exact crash location, the main monument rises as four inclined, earth-red concrete structures symbolizing Africa, Europe, North America, and Asia. Their rough textures draw from Ethiopia’s rock-hewn architecture and the Rift Valley. Bronze plaques shaped like Boeing 737 MAX windows display the victims’ names, nationalities, and birth years, while raised cubicles allow for private contemplation. An auditory feature captures and echoes visitors’ voices, symbolizing collective memory, and four radiating paths extend the monument’s narrative across the park.

Healing & Reflection

Between the African and Asian structures stands the Healing Monument, a corten steel sculpture with perforated surfaces that filter light, symbolizing resilience and hope. Its rivet details reference aircraft construction while its aerodynamic form evokes flight. Nearby, the amphitheatre accommodates more than 360 people with six concentric seating platforms and a central stage for speeches, performances, and memorial services. Along the axis between the African and European monuments, a Rock Garden of upright, locally sourced stones creates a meditative landscape, replacing the original idea of a flower garden. Concentric walking paths weave through the stones, encouraging contemplation.

Supporting Facilities & Landscape

Discreetly integrated into the site, the facility building near the main entrance provides parking for 30+ vehicles shaded by solar panels, security posts, and caretaker residences. Two wings one with multipurpose rooms, storage, and men’s facilities, the other with women’s and accessible restrooms are connected by a corten steel canopy and central lobby. Expanded metal mesh cladding enhances privacy while blending into the natural surroundings. Narrative plaques in the reception and along the pathways honor the collaborative effort behind the project.

The landscape design mirrors the ripple effect of the crash, using lawns, forested areas, planted clusters, stone elements, and paved spaces to echo the surrounding farmland. Green roofs on the monument and facility buildings integrate the site with the environment, while indigenous trees and over 120,000 plants add ecological richness and continuity.

Collaboration & Realization

The memorial was realized through the collective efforts of victims’ families, Ethiopian Airlines, Boeing, and local stakeholders. Alebel Desta Consulting Architects & Engineers led the design and supervision, while Elmi Olindo Contractors executed construction despite challenging weather conditions. The project was overseen by Yasser Bagersh, with Turner & Townsend and ZIAS managing delivery, Prologue Marketing PLC handling logistics, and Blake Emergency Services ensuring safety preparedness.

Documented by Aron Simeneh, the completed park stands as a lasting tribute where grief and healing coexist. It transforms architecture into a medium of storytelling, remembrance, and resilience ensuring that the legacy of those lost continues to inspire future generations.