Ukrainian passenger plane carrying 180 people crashes in Iran shortly after takeoff

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Ukrainian passenger plane carrying 180 people crashes in Iran shortly after takeoff






A Boeing 737 plane carrying 180 passengers and crew reportedly crashed shortly after takeoff from Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran, Iran's capital. 
 
The Ukrainian International Airlines plane which took off from the Iranian capital city's main international airport by 6:12am Tehran time on Wednesday January 8, went down eight minutes after takeoff according to flight tracking websites.
 

 
Though a video purportedly of the crash circulated by the ISNA news agency showed the aircraft burning as it fell from the sky, early indications suggested the crash did not appear to have links to Wednesday morning’s missile strikes on bases in Iraq hosting US and coalition troops.
 

 
Pirhossein Koulivand, head of Iran's Emergency Medical Services said emergency crew members have been dispatched to the crash site but couldn't assist because the area is currently ablaze. 
 
The airplane which crashed has reportedly been in service for about three and half years according to flight-tracking service FlightRadar 24. 
 
It is also believed that the Boeing 737 airplane belongs to the same family as the 737 Max 8 aircraft, which has been grounded since suffering two fatal crashes within six months in Indonesia and Ethiopia. 

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Ukrainian plane crash that killed 176 people may have been accidentally shot down by nervous Iranian airforce pilots



              


A Ukranian Airline Boeing 737 flight carrying 176 people crashed early hours of Wednesday morning hours after Iran's attack on US bases, sparking fears it has been accidentally shot down by Iranian military amidst tensions between Iran and the US.
 
The airliner, a Boeing 737-800, went down around Parand, 60 kilometres south-west of the Iranian capital and the Imam Khomeini International Airport, told Fars News Agency the plane suffered technical problems that led to it's crash.
                    
 
But Flight data shows the plane reached an altitude of 2.4 km and then disappeared three minutes after take-off with video footage appearing to show the footage of the plane on fire as it fell from the sky into a farm field meaning it's possible nervous Iranian airforce pilots might have shot down the plane as it barred Western airlines from travelling around it's airspace and might have viewed the plane as an enemy combatant.
If the flight was really shot down by Iranian forces, then it will change the dynamics of the US/Iran tensions already engulfing the Middle East after reports emanated Tuesday night that Iran had attacked two US airbases in Iraq.
Investigations are still being carried out by Ukranian officials and more information will be released soon.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky expressed condolences in a message from his holiday in Oman.
'Terrible news from the Middle East,' he posted from his vacation in the Middle Eastern country. 'This morning, after taking off from the Imam Khomeini International Airport (Tehran), a passenger plane of Ukraine International Airlines crashed near the airport.
'According to preliminary data, all passengers and crew members were killed.Our embassy clarifies the information about the circumstances of the tragedy and the lists of casualties.
'My sincere condolences to the families and friends of all passengers and crew members.

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Brits, Canadians, Iranians, Afghan, Germans were all in the Ukraine plane that crashed or was 'reportedly shot down'



              


New reports emanating from Ukraine indicate that Iranian, Canadian, Ukrainian, Swedish, Afghanistan, British and German nationals were killed in the Ukrainian plane crash that occured just outside Tehran on Tuesday night.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Vadim Prystaiko said after Wednesday’s crash that there were 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians and 11 Ukrainians on board. The Ukrainian nationals included two passengers and nine crew members.
 
He says there were also 10 Swedish nationals, four Afghans, three Germans and three British nationals. 
 
Video footage tweeted by the BBC's Iran correspondent, Ali Hashem, shows the plane already burning in the sky before it crashed sparking fears that the jet could have been shot down accidentally by nervous Iranian airforce pilots.
 
                    

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Air France and Russia suspends flights over Iraq and Iran airspace






France’s airline Air France and Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency known as Rosaviation, have announced the suspension of flights over Iraq and Iran's airspace. 
 
In a statement released by Air France on Wednesday January 8, the French airline said the suspension became necessary to ensure flight safety. 
 
The statement read in parts; 
 

“Flight plans are adjusted in real time according to the decisions of the French and regional authorities, throughout the world, in order to ensure the highest level of flight safety."

 
Rosaviation on the other hand recommended suspension of the Russia's airlines' flights over Iran, Iraq, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. It also cited "safety risks".
 
The agency said; 
 

"In connection with information about safety risks to international civil air traffic, Rosaviation recommends not to use the airspace over the territories of Iran, Iraq, the Persian and Gulf of Oman for flights of civil aircraft of the Russian Federation, including transit flights, until further notice."

 
This is coming amid speculation of a Ukrainian International Airlines plane which crashed in the early hours of today, being shot dead. 

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Ukrainian airplane which crashed was shot down by Iranian anti-aircraft missile - Pentagon and US Intelligence officials






Pentagon, US Intelligence and Iraqi intelligence officials have alleged that the Ukrainian passenger plane which crashed shortly after taking off from Tehran’s international airport on Wednesday January 8, was shot down by an Iranian anti-aircraft missile system. 
 
US Intelligence officials believe that the Boeing 737-800 jet was shot down by Iran after it detected a radar system being turned on before two missiles were launched. 
 

 
President Trump who also commented on the crash when asked what could have happened to the Ukrainian International Airlines flight on Thursday January 9, said “someone could have made a mistake on the other side". 
 
Though Iran has denied that its missile took down the Ukrainian airplane bound for Kiev and also blamed a technical malfunction for the aircraft’s demise, Ukrainian investigators said they would search the wreckage for missile fragments as they refused to rule out a terror attack as a cause of the crash. 
 

 
Secretary of Ukraine's Security Council, Oleksiy Danilov said; 
 

"A strike by a missile, possibly a Tor missile system, is among the main (theories), as information has surfaced on the internet about elements of a missile being found near the site of the crash."

 
If the theory comes out right, it will be highly embarassing to the Iranian government as 82 out of the 176 late passengers of the Ukranian airplane are Iranians. 
 
Iranian investigators who insisted that the crash was an accident have also refused to hand over the black box recorded to international investigators, claiming it was damaged and parts of the recordings lost. 
 

 
The burning airplane was seen lighting up a dark street before exploding into a huge fireball in viral CCTV footage. The flaming debris from the Boeing 737 flying was sent in different directions due to the explosion which killed all 176 people on board.  
 
A team of Ukrainian missile specialists have already deployed to Iran to probe a possible shoot-down and also examine if a Russian-made weapon could have brought down the plane. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky who declared a day of national mourning after the crash, has vowed to uncover the 'truth' about the sad incident. 

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Iran Plane Crash: The victims Of Ukraine Flight By Nationality

A Ukrainian airplane carrying 176 passengers crashed minutes after taking off early Wednesday from Iran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport, killing all passengers and crew members on board. The cause of the crash is currently unknown, although Iran cited “technical problems.” As the investigation continues, Ukraine’s embassy in Tehran issued a statement ruling out terrorism and then removed it.

The fatal crash unfolded during a particularly tense time in the region: In a growing conflict with the United States, triggered by the killing of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, Iran fired more than a dozen missiles targeting Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops four hours before the Ukraine International Airlines jet went down.

The victims include 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians, 11 Ukrainians, in addition to nine Ukrainian crew members, 10 Swedes, four Afghans, three Germans and three Britons, according to Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry. More than 140 passengers were Iranian nationals, according to Iranian officials, suggesting that many possessed dual citizenship.

Already intelligence sources from the United States reported that the plane was downed by a Russian made surface to air missiles, while Iranian authorities declared that it was due to technical problems.

https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/world-middle-east-51032823
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Meanwhile the Prime Minister of Canada also believes from Canadian and other intelligent sources that the plane was shot down by a missile, and may be "unintentional"

The leaders of Canada and the UK called for a full and thorough investigation into the crash, which killed all 176 people on board.

https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/world-middle-east-51055219

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NEWS
Ukranian Plane crash: President Rouhani blames US for death of 176, reveals next action

 January 11, 2020



Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani, has released a statement where he explained why his military shot down Ukrainian passenger airline with 176 onboard.


Iran, on Saturday morning, acknowledged that the Ukraine International Airlines flight that crashed on Wednesday was shot down by its military.

President Rouhani said bodies of victims of the crash would be returned to their countries and all necessary measures to compensate and sympathise with the bereaved families would be taken.


He also blamed the United States for the incident.
Rouhani’s lengthy statement described the incident as a “terrible catastrophe,” which resulted from an attempt to protect the country against the United States forces.

The jetliner, a Boeing 737 operated by Ukrainian International Airlines and carrying mostly Iranians and Canadian-Iranians went down on the outskirts of Tehran during takeoff just hours after Iran launched a barrage of missiles at US forces in Iraq.

Iran had earlier denied shooting down the plane, saying it was impossible for such thing to have happened.

This was after British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson had said that there is now a “body of information” that the airliner, which crashed shortly after takeoff in Tehran, was shot down by an Iranian missile.

Also, Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau and the US had made a similar claim,revealing that it was actually Iran’s missile that shot down the Ukrainian airliner with 176 passengers on board.

But they all agreed that the action must have been taken unintentionally.

In a statement on Saturday, Rouhani said, “Noble people of Iran
With the utmost regret and sorrow, hours ago I was informed of the outcome of the General Staff of the Armed Forces’ investigation into the Ukrainian passenger plane crash.

“In the atmosphere of threats and intimidation by the aggressive American regime against the Iranian nation after the martyrdom of General Qasem Soleimani, and in order to defend ourselves against possible attacks by the American Army, the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran were on full alert, which unfortunately led to this terrible catastrophe taking the lives of dozens of innocent people because of human error and mistaken shooting.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is deeply sorry by this disastrous mistake, and I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this tragic incident on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and instruct all related organs to take all necessary measures to compensate and sympathise with the bereaved families.

“I also express my deep condolences and sympathy of the Iranian government to the nations, governments and families of non-Iranian victims.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be in full consular cooperation to identify and return the bodies of victims to their families.

“This painful accident is not something that can be easily overlooked. Further investigation is needed to identify all the causes and roots of this tragedy and prosecute the perpetrators of this unforgivable mistake and inform the honourable people of Iran and the families of the victims about it.

“It is also necessary to adopt the required arrangements and measures to address the weaknesses of the country’s defence systems to make sure such a disaster is never repeated.


“Again, I extend my condolences to the families of the victims of this painful accident, praying for those who lost their lives and wishing their bereaved families patience and rewards.”

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Canada reacts as Iran admits shooting down Ukrainian plane, gives conditions for peace

 January 11, 2020


Canadian Prime Minister has reacted following Iran’s admission that its military actually downed the Ukranian international airline killing all 176 passengers and crew on Wednesday.


Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau said his government expects the “full cooperation” of Iranian authorities in investigating the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752.


The jetliner, a Boeing 737 operated by Ukrainian International Airlines and carrying mostly Iranians and Canadian-Iranians went down on the outskirts of Tehran during takeoff just hours after Iran launched a barrage of missiles at US forces in Iraq.



Of the 176 people who were killed, 57 were Canadian nationals. Nearly 140 passengers on board were scheduled to take a connecting flight from Kiev to Canada.

Trudeau’s statement, “Tonight, Iran acknowledged that Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was shot down by its own armed forces.

“Our focus remains closure, accountability, transparency, and justice for the families and loved ones of the victims. This is a national tragedy, and all Canadians are mourning together.



“We will continue working with our partners around the world to ensure a complete and thorough investigation, and the Canadian government expects full cooperation from Iranian authorities.”

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Nigerian man among 176 dead victims of Ukrainian airplane shot down by Iran






A Nigerian man identified as Dauda Onoruoiza has been confirmed as one of the 176 dead victims of the Ukrainian airplane that was shot down by Iran. 
 
The Kogi-born victim of the airplane crash was working with American airplane manufacturers, Boeing before the sad incident occurred. He was reportedly on a three months training with Boeing in Ukraine and was attached to the Boeing 737-800 aircraft to study its mechanical noise and report back to the company ahead of its maintenance scheduled on Monday January 13 in Ukraine.
 
Recall that the airplane which was bound for Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, had 167 passengers and nine crew members from several countries. Asides the Nigerian, the crash victims include 82 Iranians, at least 63 Canadians and 11 Ukrainians.
 
The crash occurred just after Iran fired missiles at Iraqi military bases housing US troops in retaliation for a drone strike at Baghdad airport that killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, who was one of Iran's most powerful and influential military leaders.
 
Iran admitted to shooting down the airplane unintentionally on Saturday January 11, after initially denying the act and refusing to turn in its black box. 

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Update: Man whose photo was used in place of that of a Nigerian man that allegedly died in Ukranian plane crash, speaks






Mr Olayinka Bernard Adeleye, the 30-year-old man whose photo was used in place of that of a Nigerian man who allegedly died in the Ukrainian plane crash on January 8, has debunked claims of being involved in the sad incident which claimed the lives of 176 passengers. 
 
Adeleye who is the head of department of Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corp ( LNSC) in Odi – Olowo Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area ( LCDA) in Mushin, stated that the use of his photo for the report has caused much pain to his family as he is now being referred to as ”The man that died in the crash “ and a "ghost"
 
Addressing newsmen at his lawyer's office, the LNSC head of department said he has never boarded an aircraft in his life. He also disclosed that his mother collapsed upon receiving news of him "dying in a plane crash". 
 
The distraught Nigerian who wondered why someone will cause his family so much trauma with his photo taken from Instagram, said it was more disturbing that the report was published on his birthday January 10, 2020.
 
He said; 
 

” My immediate reaction when I learnt my photograph was published in done media outfit as the man that died in a plane crashed in Tehran on my birthday was that of shock, fear and disappointment. Why should anybody wish a young man like me dead? I was even more disturbed when I learnt that my mother collapsed and was rushed to the hospital when she was told. She was told I died in an accident and they later explained to her it was a plane crashed.
”She knew I I did not travel anywhere yet the news devastated her. As I recovered from the trauma I had to do a video call to her to believe I was still alive. Those who are behind this have caused too much trouble in my family. What if my mother had died?
” I think the police and relevant agencies should investigate why people do a thing like to embarrass people going about their own business .”

 
Adeleye’s lawyer, Femi Martins who made a clarification on the report said though the name of his client was not mentioned in the false publication, the photograph attached to the rumours is his photograph.