Ukrainian Airplane Crashes In Iran, Killing All 176 Passengers

A Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737 passenger jet crashed in Tehran, Iran Wednesday morning shortly after takeoff. The Kiev-bound airplane was carrying 176 passengers and crew, all of whom tragically lost their lives.

Ukrainian and Iranian officials believe it was a mechanical issue that brought down the aircraft, just minutes after taking off from Imam Khomeini International Airport. The plane, a Boeing 737-800 NG, was built in 2016 and, according to the airline, was delivered directly to them from the manufacturer.

In a press statement, an Iranian native who lives close to the crash site, Din Mohammad Qassemi said, “I heard a massive explosion and all the houses started to shake. There was fire everywhere. At first I thought (the Americans) have hit here with missiles and went in the basement as a shelter.” Due to the proximity of this plane crash to the Iranian missile attack on U.S. army bases just the day before.

Qassemi added, “After a while, I went out and saw a plane has crashed over there. Body parts were lying around everywhere.”

The victims of this crash represented seven different nations. Of the 176 passengers and crew aboard, there were a total of 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians, 11 Ukrainians, 10 Swedes, four Afghans, three Germans and three British nationals.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk states, “We’re preparing a group of specialists in order to help with the search operation and the investigation of the cause of the crash.”

My prayers and condolences go out to those whose lives were lost, as well as to their family, friends and loved ones. ❤??