'Something very unusual happened': Trudeau says Canadians 'deserve' answer on the fatal Iran plane crash
On Wednesday, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko confirmed Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752, a Boeing 737-800, crashed on its was from Iran’s capital, Tehran, to Kyiv and there were no survivors.
"Tehran airport is anything but a simple one. Therefore, for several years UIA has been using this airport to conduct training on Boeing 737 aircraft aimed at evaluating pilots' proficiency and ability to act in emergency cases, Ihor Sosnovsky, Ukraine International Airlines vice president of operations said in a statement.
“According to our records, the aircraft ascended as high as 2400 meters. Given the crew's experience, error probability is minimal. We do not even consider such a chance."
Messaging from the Canadian government
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was joined by other government officials for a press conference to discuss the events of the tragic crash. The prime minister said that 138 passengers on the plane were connecting to Canada on PS752.
“I want to express my deepest condolences to all who are mourning a loss of a love one,” Trudeau said.
He also confirmed that the Canadian government will ensure that the crash is thoroughly investigated.
“We’ve had many countries step up to provide their assistance and support,” Trudeau said. “[Minister of Foreign Affairs François-Philippe Champagne] will be engaging directly with his Iranian counterpart...to request a presence from Canada in Tehran and in the investigation.”
Minister of Transport Marc Garneau told the media that the investigation is in the early stages but the crash happened about two minutes after takeoff, which occurred in a “normal fashion” before contact was lost. Garneau said this suggests that “something very unusual happened.”
Trudeau and Garneau both could not confirm the cause of the crash, with the prime minister saying that Canadians “deserve” answers he cannot categorically say that the plane was not shot down.
“It is too early to speculate. I would encourage people not to speculate, we are certainly aware that this is a terrible, terrible tragedy,” Trudeau said.
The transport minister also confirmed that Iran is leading the investigation but Canada has “offered to the Ukrainians all the technical assistance that they may wish.”
“It’s also true that the transportation safety board…is also going to be involved because there were Canadian nationals won this particular flight,” Garneau said. “They have indicated that if it was the desire of the Ukrainian or the Iranians…that Canada would be prepared to assist in terms of black box data interpretation.”
Details about the victims
There were 63 Canadians, 82 Iranians, 11 Ukrainian passengers and crew, 10 Swedes, four Afghans, three Germans and three Britons on board. The airline has released a list of passengers on the flight. More information continues to be revealed about the victims of the fatal crash.
Reuters has reported that 30 Edmontonians were on the plane, including University of Alberta professor Pedram Mousavi, his wife Mojgan Daneshmand and their daughters Daria and Dorina. Dr. Shekoufeh Choupannejad, an obstetrician-gynecologist at the Northgate Centre Medical Clinic in Edmonton, and her two daughters were also killed, according to CBC News.
We are in utter disbelief and heartbroken at the loss of our Council member @GhanimatAzh on the #planecrash in #Iran this morning. Please join us in celebrating her beautiful young life as a proud #Indigenous Qashqai woman and a true force of nature: https://t.co/UHn2Vuxhfw pic.twitter.com/xf2dhNvL7c
— ICCA Consortium (@ICCAConsortium) January 8, 2020
The University of Guelph released a statement confirming that two students from the school were aboard the plane, Ghanimat Azhdari and Milad Ghasemi Ariani, who was pursuing a PhD in the Department of Marketing and Consumer Studies.
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the tragic loss of two of our students,” University of Guelph president Franco Vaccarino said in a statement. “Our thoughts go out to the families of these two students and to anyone else affected by this tragedy. Any loss to our campus community touches all of us.”
What we know so far
The crash follows increased tensions in Iran following the killing of Iranian military leader Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani by the U.S. last week.
Global Affairs Canada has alerted all Canadians to avoid all non-essential travel to Iran “due to the volatile security situation, the regional threat of terrorism and the risk of arbitrary detention.”
“Canadians, particularly dual Canadian-Iranian citizens, are at risk of being arbitrarily questioned, arrested and detained,” the advisory from the government agency reads. “Iran does not recognize dual nationality and Canada will not be granted consular access to dual Canadian-Iranian citizens.”
Reuters is reporting that a Canadian security source said the initial assessment of Western intelligence agencies is that the plane was not brought down by a missile. It is believe that the plane crash was caused by a technical malfunction.
Here is my statement on the tragic crash of Ukraine International Airlines Flight #PS752. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims, including at least 63 Canadians. pic.twitter.com/knPr827mci
— François-Philippe Champagne (FPC) 🇨🇦 (@FP_Champagne) January 8, 2020
Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs has described the situation as “extremely fluid” and has been in touch with Ukrainian counterparts.
The plane's black boxes have been found but the head of Iran’s Civil Aviation Authority said they would not be handed over to Boeing or America, the organization would analyzes the boxes themselves.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement that a team of experts and officials will be heading to Iran to investigate the crash, including the casualties.
The tragedy of the stampede at Gen. Soleimani's funeral in Kerman and the crash of a Ukrainian passenger plane in Tehran that killed numerous Iranians, including a group of students, as well as other nationalities, deeply saddens all Iranians. May they rest in peace. #PS752 pic.twitter.com/qO3oHSGdvJ
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) January 8, 2020
Iran’s president has made a public statement on the crash, extending his condolences to the individuals on the plane, as well as the Iranians who died in the stampede at Gen. Soleimani's funeral.
On Wednesday morning, U.S. President Donald Trump spoke on the the conflict with Iran, following Iran's missile attacks on Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops on Tuesday. Trump did not mention the plane crash but confirmed there were no American casualties in missile attack.
"Our great American forces are prepared for anything. Iran appears to be standing down,” The U.S. president said.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said U.S. was calling for “complete cooperation” with the investigation into the cause of the plane crash in Iran.
“The U.S. Department of State extends our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the 176 passengers and crew killed in the tragic crash,” Pompeo said in the statement. “The United States will continue to follow this incident closely and stands prepared to offer Ukraine all possible assistance.”
Canada reacts to Iran tragedy
Heartbreaking news from Tehran this morning: 176 people, including 63 Canadians, have lost their lives in a tragic plane crash. My thoughts are with all those who are mourning the loss of family members, friends, and loved ones. https://t.co/rSTTbGj0oG
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 8, 2020
“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,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement. “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.”
This is a tragic event and our heartfelt thoughts are with the crew, passengers, and their families. We are in contact with our airline customer and stand by them in this difficult time. We are ready to assist in any way needed. pic.twitter.com/TsTlyY34Vd
— The Boeing Company (@Boeing) January 8, 2020
Boeing has issued a statement on the crash, saying the company’s thoughts are with the crew, passengers and their families after this “tragic event.”
Air Canada, the only Canadian air carrier that operates in the region covered by the FAA NOTAM, has altered its routes to ensure the security of its flights into and over the Middle East
— Transport Canada (@Transport_gc) January 8, 2020
Transport Canada has said that Air Canada is the only Canadian airline that operates in region and has altered all flight routes in and out of the Middle East.
Many Canadian leaders have released public statements to express their condolences for the victims of this devastating plane crash.
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
There are no words.
176 lives lost.
63 Canadians won’t be coming home.
These families deserve clear answers, but whatever the cause, this is devastating.
Love to their families, friends, and communities and to everyone touched by this tragedy. https://t.co/jPSouzcFNZ— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) January 8, 2020
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
Absolute terrible news coming out of Iran this morning. We are waiting to hear more about what happened and who was on the plane. My heart breaks for the families and communities looking for answers about their loved ones. You’re in our thoughts and prayers this morning.
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) January 8, 2020
On behalf of all Toronto residents, we are saddened by the news of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752. Our hearts are with Toronto's Iranian and Ukrainian communities today as we mourn the 176 people, including 63 Canadians, who have tragically died.
— John Tory (@JohnTory) January 8, 2020
Canadians also took to social media to share their thoughts following the news of the crash.
All lives matter, no matter what nationality.. 176 lives lost... praying for their families 😔🤲🏻 #ukraineplanecrash #AllLivesMatter
— Sanam Dehghani (@SanamDehghani) January 8, 2020
I’ve had family take the Tehran to Toronto route via Kiev in the past year. It’s been a new affordable route for many Iranian-Canadians who don’t have direct flights from Canada. My heart is with all the families of those lost. https://t.co/REnmEctsDC
— mahsa alimardani 🌒 (@maasalan) January 8, 2020
The plan crash in Iran is a terrible news, #63Canadians and many others lost their lives. They will not be returning home. Our hearts break for the families of who lost their loved ones. They are in our thoughts and prayers.
— Dr. Rana, Neurologist (@Dr_Rana_Canada) January 8, 2020
What's more suspicious is that the Iranian Government is refusing to give the black boxes to the Ukrainian Airline and the USA, not to mention the airline saying the pilots were "highly trained" in situations like this.
Something seems very wrong.— Maxwell Thornton🇨🇦 (@ShadowEagleSix) January 8, 2020
Maybe Canada, who lost 63 citizens in this crash, should investigate. We have a right to know what happened to our people.
— Kelly Knights (@marmalade) January 8, 2020
The government has stated that friends and relatives of Canadian citizens believed to be on board can contact Global Affairs Canada's 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre by calling 613-996-8885 or 1-800-387-3124, or by sending an email to sos@international.gc.ca.
Canadian citizens in Iran requiring consular assistance should contact the Canadian Embassy in Ankara at +90 (312) 409 2700 or call Global Affairs Canada’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre at +1 613-996-8885.