63 Canadians killed in plane crash near Tehran, Ukrainian official says

Jan 8, 2020 | 8:09 AM

SHAHEDSHAHR, Iran — Dozens of Canadians were among the 176 people killed in a plane crash just minutes after taking off from the Iranian capital’s main airport, Ukraine’s minister of foreign affairs said.

Vadym Prystaiko said 63 Canadians, 82 Iranians and 11 Ukrainians were on board— the Ukrainian nationals included two passengers and the nine crew. There were also 10 Swedish, four Afghan, three German and three British nationals.

The crash, which killed everyone on board, happened Wednesday morning hours after Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on two Iraqi bases housing U.S. soldiers, but both Ukrainian and Iranian officials say they suspected a mechanical issue brought down the Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Global Affairs Canada did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Airline officials said most of the passengers were en route to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, transiting through there to other destinations.

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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy extended his condolences to the families of the victims. His office said he had cut his visit to Oman short and was returning to Kyiv because of the crash.

“Our task is to establish the cause of the crash of the Boeing and provide all necessary help to the families of the victims,” said parliament speaker, Dmytro Razumkov, in a Facebook statement.

Ukraine International Airlines said it had indefinitely suspended flights to Tehran after the crash.

by Canadian Press

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63 Canadians killed in plane crash near Tehran, Ukrainian official says

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