Memorial Park Created to Commemorate Those Lost in the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines Tragedy
On March 10, 2019, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 (ET-302) departed from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, heading to Nairobi, Kenya. Just six minutes after taking off, the plane crashed into tranquil farmland in Gimbichu, resulting in the deaths of all 149 passengers along with the eight crew members aboard. In the aftermath of the tragedy, families and friends gathered at the location, whispering prayers and placing flowers, photographs, and other tokens of remembrance. Now, six years later, the burial site has been transformed into a memorial monument and park, honoring the memories of those who lost their lives in such a tragic manner.
Led by Alebel Desta Consulting Architects and Engineers, the ET-302 Memorial Monument and Park harmoniously blends into its surroundings, paying tribute to the site where ET-302 passengers spent their final moments. The park is designed in a radial configuration, with a main path that traces the flight’s route and guides visitors toward the central monument. On either side of this main pathway are additional circular walkways and flourishing gardens, providing diverse areas for reflection and healing.
Anchoring the park are five distinct monuments, each representing grief and memory in unique yet equally touching manners. The Healing Monument, for example, takes the form of a worn sheet, with its steel frame gracefully bent to reflect the smooth, aerodynamic nature of flight. Its surface is dotted with perforations through which light filters to the earth below, casting patterns that “represent the journey from sorrow to healing,” according to the studio. Adjacent to this sculptural focal point is an amphitheater featuring concentric seating that can accommodate over 360 individuals for memorial services, storytelling gatherings, and other communal activities. Close by lies a rock garden filled with large stones sourced directly from the site, all standing as “silent witnesses to the lost lives.”
“Each area possesses a unique emotional resonance—some are open and communal, while others are more secluded and intimate,” Alebel Desta shared with Dezeen in a recent discussion. “The landscape connects everything, leading visitors through a series of spaces that represent different stages of grief, memory, and resilience.”
One particular area is more somber than the others. The park’s burial ground has been deliberately left in its natural state as a mark of respect, bordered solely by steel rails and a colored concrete pathway. These boundary elements highlight the sanctity of the space without being overbearing or intrusive.
At the core of ET-302 Memorial Park stands its Main Monument, comprising four sloped structures that symbolize the continents of origin for the victims: Africa, Europe, North America, and Asia. These earth-toned concrete forms feature bronze plaques displaying the names, birth years, and nationalities of each victim, designed to resemble the windows of a Boeing 737 MAX 8. Raised cubicles within the monument offer additional “sanctuaries for quiet reflection,” according to the studio.
“The choice of materials was heavily inspired by Ethiopia’s natural and cultural landscape. We referenced the earth tones of the Rift Valley as a grounding element,” explained Alebel Desta. “We aimed for the materials to be both familiar and monumental, deriving strength from the land while addressing memory and continuity.”
In addition to the monuments, the park includes a facility building that houses parking, multipurpose rooms, storage and reception areas, and restrooms. Overall, the park embodies a poetic, geometric flow while acknowledging the gravity of grief.
“The ET-302 Memorial Monument and Park exists at the juncture of art and architecture, where space transforms into a medium for remembrance, healing, and introspection,” the studio states. “It is a living piece of art, where architecture exceeds functionality, serving as a conduit for storytelling, symbolism, and emotional connection.”
To learn more about the ET-302 Memorial Monument and Park, visit Alebel Desta’s Instagram page.
The ET-302 Memorial Monument and Park commemorates the 157 victims of a 2019 Ethiopian Airlines disaster near Addis Ababa, the capital of the country.
Crafted by Alebel Desta Consulting Architects and Engineers, the site mainly consists of five separate spaces, each intricately integrated into the surrounding environment.
The park’s central monument comprises four inclined structures that reflect the continents from which the victims hailed. Bronze plaques with the names of victims are also embedded within these structures.
Alebel Desta Consulting Architects and Engineers: [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/alebeldestacae/?hl=en) | [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/p/Alebel-Desta-Architects-CAE-100076032759929/)
*My Modern Met provided permission to display images by Alebel Desta.*
Related Articles:
– [Memorial Uses an Empty Silhouette To Honor Soldiers Who Fought in WWI and WWII](https://mymodernmet.com/bojte-horvath-istvan-war-memorial/)
– [Mountainside Memorial Features 100