StatoilHydro employees Marcela Pellizon (29), Gustavo Peretti (30) and Kristian Berg Andersen (37) were on the Air France flight which has gone missing en route to Paris.

The three personnel confirmed to be on the plane worked at the group’s office in Rio de Janeiro and were on their way to Norway. Mr Berg Andersen is a Norwegian citizen, while Ms Pellizon and Mr Peretti are Brazilian.

“We have learned that three of our people were on the flight with great sadness,” says chief executive Helge Lund.

“A tragedy like this makes a deep impression on us as colleagues and managers. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the next-of-kin.”

Carrying 228 people, flight AF447 was en route from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil to Charles de Gaulle airport. A relative of an employee at the Brazilian office was also on the plane.

StatoilHydro is working to support the next-of-kin, and will cooperate closely with the authorities both in Norway and in Brazil.

“Naturally, the Brazilian organisation is particularly affected by this tragic accident,” says Mr Lund. “Our attention is now focused on supporting and assisting families and colleagues in Brazil, as well as in Norway.”

Tags: StatoilHydro