It’s been confirmed by CBS News in a tweet that Iran shot down the Ukranian airliner that was downed on the 8th. The breakdown by country of those on board was reported by Washington Post. The Victims of the downed plane crash are 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians, 19 Ukrainians (eight of whom were crew members), 10 Swedes, four Afghans, three Germans, and Three Britts. The Washington Post also reported:
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 flight was a full flight. It seems that they were the only casualties in the midst of the U.S. – Iran conflict in Iraq. By the number of Iranians listed on the flight, It appears that it was accidental, but investigations are ongoing.
#BREAKING: Eyewitness reports & wreckage of 9M331 missile found near #PS752‘s crash site prove that the Boeing 737-8KV of #Ukraine Airlines is shot-down by Tor-M1 SAM pic.twitter.com/mSWHnzAvOi
— ғʟɪɢʜᴛᴅᴇᴋᴋᴇʀ ❁ (@flightdekker) January 9, 2020
In a press conference today Prime Minister Trudeau made it clear that it seems that it was an accident but it appears Iran did shoot down the plane and again states he wants a full investigation of the crash site and the airplane.
Trudeau also released that Iran has told Ukraine they would have access to the black box from the downed plane. You can see the press conference below:
Ukraine International Airlines Announced yesterday in a press conference below they will no longer fly to Iran. They also stated there was ‘nothing technical’ wrong with the Aircraft, as it was one of the best in their fleet. The video below shows some shots from the crash site:
