The Boeing 737 went down shortly after takeoff in Tehran, killing all 176 people aboard. Here is what’s known so far.
Rescue workers search the scene where the Ukrainian airplane crashed on Wednesday shortly after takeoff from Tehran airport (Foad Ashtari/Getty Images)
Originally published: Jan. 8, 2020, 10:00 a.m. ET. Latest update: Jan. 13, 2020, 11:30 a.m. ET
Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752, a Boeing 737-800, crashed shortly after takeoff from Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran, Iran, killing 176 passengers and crew—including 57* Canadians. The flight had been enroute to Kyiv.
Victims also reportedly included 82 Iranians, 11 Ukrainians, 10 Swedes, four Afghans, three Germans and three British passengers. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a press conference on Jan. 8 and stated that a total of 138 passengers on the ill-fated flight were en-route to Canada as their final destination.
On Jan. 9, U.S. sources began reporting that U.S. officials were “confident” that Iran had shot down the airliner. Trudeau later that day held a press conference telling reporters that multiple sources had confirmed that the plane had likely been shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile strike.
The Iranian civil aviation authority confirmed on Wednesday that it had opened an investigation into the disaster. The Iranians have since invited the U.S.-based National Transportation Safety Board, as well as Ukrainian officials—and, in a limited capacity, Canadians—to join the investigation. Trudeau also confirmed on Thursday that Canadian consular officials are being granted access to Iran. Canada and Iran have not had normal diplomatic relations since 2012.
The majority of the 57 Canadian victims appear to be from Edmonton.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released the following statement:
This morning, I join Canadians across the country who are shocked and saddened to see reports that a plane crash outside of Tehran, Iran, has claimed the lives of 176 people, including 63* Canadians.
On behalf of the Government of Canada, Sophie and I offer our deepest condolences to those who have lost family, friends, and loved ones in this tragedy. Our government will continue to work closely with its international partners to ensure that this crash is thoroughly investigated, and that Canadians’ questions are answered. Today, I assure all Canadians that their safety and security is our top priority. We also join with the other countries who are mourning the loss of citizens.
[Foreign] Minister [Francois-Philippe] Champagne has been in touch with the government of Ukraine, and is speaking to relevant authorities and to international partners. [Transport] Minister [Marc] Garneau is also working with officials from Transport Canada, and is reaching out to his international counterparts.
Champagne tweeted the morning after the crash that “our hearts are with the loved ones of the victims.”
Tragic news regarding Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752. Our hearts are with the loved ones of the victims, including many Canadians. I have been in touch with the government of Ukraine. We will continue to keep Canadians informed as the situation evolves. #PS752
— François-Philippe Champagne (FPC) 🇨🇦 (@FP_Champagne) January 8, 2020
And Garneau also confirmed the feds would offer “technical assistance” to any investigations.
My thoughts are with all those affected by the heartbreaking tragedy involving Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 carrying many Canadians.
We are in touch with our international counterparts and Canada is offering technical assistance to the upcoming investigation.
— Marc Garneau (@MarcGarneau) January 8, 2020
With news that around 30 Canadian victims of the crash are from Edmonton, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney tweeted:
I am deeply saddened by the devastating news that 63 Canadians, including a large number of Albertans, were amongst 176 passengers aboard UIA 752 when it crashed earlier today near Tehran.
On behalf of the Govt of Alberta, I extend deepest sympathies to loved ones of passengers. https://t.co/bSeSBkZyTi
— Jason Kenney 🇨🇦🇺🇦🇮🇱 (@jkenney) January 8, 2020
Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson also released a statement in response to the crash:
Heartbroken to hear the news of the fatal plane crash. On behalf of Edmontonians & your #yegcc, I would like to offer the families & friends who have lost a loved one in this tragedy our deepest condolences. We are in mourning today — our community has suffered a terrible loss. pic.twitter.com/iRIfXTTdSU
— Don Iveson (@doniveson) January 8, 2020
Turkey’s ministry of foreign affairs released this statement in the wake of the crash:
We are deeply saddened to hear that this morning a Ukrainian Airlines passenger plane flying from Tehran to Kyiv crashed shortly after take-off from the Tehran International Airport causing tragic loss of lives of all passengers and crew on board.
We express our sincere condolences to the families and loved-ones of those who lost their lives, as well as to the Governments and friendly peoples of Ukraine and Iran.
Iran’s ministry of foreign affairs released this statement on communication between Iranian and Ukrainian officials:
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has held a phone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart Vadym Prystaiko on the regrettable crash of a Ukrainian passenger plane in Tehran, which killed many Iranian and foreign nationals, including those of Ukraine.
In the Wednesday phone conversation, the two ministers expressed deep regret over the heart-breaking accident, and exchanged condolences over the deaths of Iranian and Ukrainian nationals.
The reasons for the crash are still under investigation.
Flight PS752 offered service between Tehran and Kyiv on a nearly daily basis. The aircraft involved in the crash, which had a registered tail number of UR-PSR, was a 3.5-year-old Boeing 737-800 that first flew on June 21, 2016.
Ukraine International Airlines has released information about the pilots and crew aboard Flight PS752, all of whom have died. There was Captain Volodymyr Gaponenko, who has clocked 11,600 hours on Boeing 737 aircraft and 5,500 hours as captain, instructor pilot Oleksiy Naumkin and first officer Serhii Khomenko.
Cabin crew included chief flight attendant Ihor Matkov, as well as Kateryna Statnik, Mariia Mykytiuk, Valeriia Ovcharuk, Yuliia Solohub and Denys Lykhno.
Ihor Sosnovsky, UIA’s VP of operations has said: “According to our records, the aircraft ascended as high as 2,400 meters. Given the crew’s experience, error probability is minimal. We do not even consider such a chance.”
These are some of the most devastating air disasters involving Canadian aircraft, crew or passengers. (Our sources for this information are the Canadian Encyclopedia, news files and Aviation-Safety.net.)
Air India – June 23, 1985
Number of deaths: 329, including 280 Canadians
Cause: Bomb
Location: North Atlantic, off Ireland
Trans-Canada Airlines – Nov. 29, 1963
Number of deaths: 118
Cause: Undetermined
Location: Sainte-Thérèse-de-Blainville, Que.
Air Canada – July 5, 1970
Number of deaths: 109
Cause: Heavy landing, followed by crash on second attempt to land
Location: Toronto
Maritime Central Airways – Aug. 11, 1957
Number of deaths: 79, mostly Canadian veterans returning from a visit to the U.K.
Cause: Loss of control in severe weather
Location: Near Quebec City
Trans-Canada Airlines – Dec. 9, 1956
Number of deaths: 62
Cause: Icing and engine loss
Location: Mount Slesse, B.C.
Canadian Pacific Airlines – July 8, 1965
Number of deaths: 52
Cause: Explosion, likely intentional; unsolved
Location: Near 100 Mile House, B.C.
Panarctic Oils – Oct. 30, 1974
Number of deaths: 32, all Canadian
Cause: Crash landing, cause undetermined
Location: Rea Point, N.W.T.
EDITOR’S NOTE: On Jan. 10, Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne revised the number of Canadians who died on Flight PS752 from 63 to 57.