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'This is devastating': 63 Canadians among dead in Iran plane crash | 'This is devastating': 63 Canadians among dead in Iran plane crash |
(30 minutes later) | |
New Democrat leader says ‘These families deserve clear answers’ as Canadian foreign minister contacts Ukraine government | New Democrat leader says ‘These families deserve clear answers’ as Canadian foreign minister contacts Ukraine government |
Canada’s foreign minister has been in touch with the government of Ukraine after learning that 63 Canadians died in the Ukrainian passenger jet which crashed minutes after taking off from Iran’s capital. | Canada’s foreign minister has been in touch with the government of Ukraine after learning that 63 Canadians died in the Ukrainian passenger jet which crashed minutes after taking off from Iran’s capital. |
François-Philippe Champagne tweeted on Wednesday: “Our hearts are with the loved ones of the victims, including many Canadians.” He vowed to keep Canadians informed as the situation evolves. | François-Philippe Champagne tweeted on Wednesday: “Our hearts are with the loved ones of the victims, including many Canadians.” He vowed to keep Canadians informed as the situation evolves. |
“There are no words. 176 lives lost. 63 Canadians won’t be coming home,” the opposition New Democrat leader Jagmeet Singh tweeted. “These families deserve clear answers, but whatever the case, this is devastating.” | “There are no words. 176 lives lost. 63 Canadians won’t be coming home,” the opposition New Democrat leader Jagmeet Singh tweeted. “These families deserve clear answers, but whatever the case, this is devastating.” |
The crash of the Ukraine International Airlines plane came hours after Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on Iraqi bases housing US soldiers, but Iranian officials said they suspected a mechanical issue brought down the 3½-year-old Boeing 737-800 aircraft. | The crash of the Ukraine International Airlines plane came hours after Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on Iraqi bases housing US soldiers, but Iranian officials said they suspected a mechanical issue brought down the 3½-year-old Boeing 737-800 aircraft. |
Ukrainian officials initially agreed, but later backed away and declined to offer a cause while the investigation is ongoing. | Ukrainian officials initially agreed, but later backed away and declined to offer a cause while the investigation is ongoing. |
The plane carried 167 passengers and nine crew members from different countries. | The plane carried 167 passengers and nine crew members from different countries. |
Ukraine’s foreign minister, Vadym Prystaiko, said that there were 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians and 11 Ukrainians 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, he said. | Ukraine’s foreign minister, Vadym Prystaiko, said that there were 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians and 11 Ukrainians 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, he said. |
“My heart is broken. We will have to go through this terrible pain together with our Canadian brothers and sisters,” tweeted Andriy Shevchenko, Ukraine’s ambassador to Canada. | “My heart is broken. We will have to go through this terrible pain together with our Canadian brothers and sisters,” tweeted Andriy Shevchenko, Ukraine’s ambassador to Canada. |
“Ukraine is working with the Iranian authorities on the ground to identify the dead and help their families. Our deepest condolences to all those who lost their loved ones. It is devastating,” he wrote. | “Ukraine is working with the Iranian authorities on the ground to identify the dead and help their families. Our deepest condolences to all those who lost their loved ones. It is devastating,” he wrote. |
Canada closed its embassy in Iran in 2012 and has suspended diplomatic relations. | Canada closed its embassy in Iran in 2012 and has suspended diplomatic relations. |
Canada is urging Canadians to avoid non-essential travel to Iran due to the volatile security situation, but the travel advisory makes no mention of the plane crash. | Canada is urging Canadians to avoid non-essential travel to Iran due to the volatile security situation, but the travel advisory makes no mention of the plane crash. |
The Tehran to Toronto route via Kiev is an affordable route for Iranian Canadians as there is no direct flight. | The Tehran to Toronto route via Kiev is an affordable route for Iranian Canadians as there is no direct flight. |
Canada has urged its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Iran due to the volatile security situation. | Canada has urged its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Iran due to the volatile security situation. |
The crash was one of the worst losses of life for Canadians in an aviation disaster. In 1985 a bomb exploded and killed 329 people aboard an Air India flight from Montreal to New Delhi. Most of the victims were Canadian. |