Ethiopian transport minister, Dagmawit Moges, has said there are “clear similarities” between recent accidents involving Ethiopian Airlines and Lion Air jets.

Both planes were Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft.

The Ethiopian Airlines jet crashed after take-off from Addis Ababa, killing all 157 people on board last weekend.

It followed an accident in October last year which saw a Lion Air plane come down just after take-off, again with no survivors.

Following the second accident, authorities around the world took the decision to ground the Boeing 737 Max while investigators work to establish what happened.

Moges told journalists that a preliminary report into the Ethiopian Airlines disaster would be released within 30 days.

He added: “Clear similarities were noted between Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 and Indonesian Lion Air Flight 610, which would be the subject of further study during the investigation.”

In both cases flight tracking data showed the altitude of the aircraft had fluctuated sharply, as the planes seemed to experience erratic climbs and descents.

In response to the latest claims, Boeing chief executive Dennis Muilenburg said: “Boeing continues to support the investigation, and is working with the authorities to evaluate new information as it becomes available.

“As part of our standard practice following any accident, we examine our aircraft design and operation, and when appropriate, institute product updates to further improve safety.”

Muilenburg said Boeing was working on a software update designed to get the planes back in the sky.

He added: “While investigators continue to work to establish definitive conclusions, Boeing is finalising its development of a previously-announced software update and pilot training revision that will address the Manoeuvring Characteristics Augmentation System flight control law’s behaviour in response to erroneous sensor inputs. 

“We also continue to provide technical assistance at the request of and under the direction of the National Transportation Safety Board, the United States accredited representative working with Ethiopian investigators.”