On January 8, 2020, a passenger plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Tehran, Iran. All 176 persons aboard Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 were killed in the crash. The passengers included 63 Canadians, many of them students and faculty of universities across Canada.
Among the 63 Canadian passengers were a number of students who were enrolled at Halifax’s Dalhousie and St. Mary’s universities.
The large number of Canadians onboard the Boeing 737-800 was due to the end of the holiday season, and limited travel options for Canadians travelling to and from Iran as a result of sanctions imposed on Iran. The plane was enroute to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv for passengers to catch a connecting flight to Canada.
This aviation accident raises important questions for the families of the passengers who were lost in the disaster. Early reports indicate there may have been a potential engine malfunction that resulted in the aircraft crashing within minutes of departing for Ukraine. Investigations are in the very early stages and it may be some time before it is determined what brought down Flight PS752.
Our sincerest condolences go out to the families of the passengers during this time of grieving this unspeakable loss.