BC residents among the dead after plane crash in Iran

Jan 8 2020, 9:13 pm

After a Ukraine International Airline flight crashed in Iran killing 167 passengers including 63 Canadians, some of those Canadians have now been identified as BC residents.

Among those who perished in the crash was international student Delaram Dadashnejad, who was studying at Langara College in Vancouver.

In a statement to Daily Hive, Langara President and CEO Dr. Lane Trotter said that on behalf oh the school’s community, “I would like to offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Delaram Dadashnejad, whose family has confirmed..that she was among those lost in a plane crash in Tehran today.”

Trotter said Delaram was an international student taking university transfer classes, and was flying home to Vancouver after a visit with family in Tehran.

“The loss of one of our students is one that impacts our entire community,” said Trotter. “We are heartbroken over the fatal tragedy that took place; our thoughts and prayers are with those in mourning from this incident.”

Trotter added that the university’s counselling and International Education team will be providing support for our students, “while staff and faculty have access to our Employee and Family Assistance Program.”

Other victims of the crash include two former UBC students: Zeynab Asadi Lari and Mohammadhossein Asadi Lari.

In a statement, UBC President Santa Ono said he is “profoundly saddened” to confirm their deaths.

According to Ono, Zeynab enrolled at UBC in 2016 in the BSc program, with a biology major. Mohammadhossein graduated in 2018 with a BSc in cellular, anatomical and physiological sciences with honours standing.

“On behalf of the UBC community, I wish to express my deepest condolences to their family, friends and loved ones,” said Ono. “This is a challenging time for UBC’s Iranian students, faculty and staff and we understand developments internationally and domestically in Iran are a cause of deep concern for them.”

Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart said he is “deeply shocked and saddened” by news of the crash.

“On behalf of city council and Vancouverites, I extend heartfelt sympathies to the families and friends of the victims, both here in Vancouver and around the world.”

Stewart said as mayor, he wants to “let the local Iranian community know that Vancouverites are behind them and will support them during this difficult time.”

According to the airline, on January 8, flight PS752 from Tehran to Kyiv disappeared from the radars a few minutes after departure from Tehran International Airport at 6:10 local time.

The airline said there were 167 passengers and nine crew members on board.

“The airline expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the air crash and will do everything possible to support the relatives of the victims,” said the airline in a statement.

It also said it has decided to suspend its flights to Tehran until further notice.

Vadym Prystaiko, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, confirmed the fatalities as: 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians, two + nine (crew) Ukrainians, 10 Swedish nationals, four from Afghanistan, three Germans and three UK citizens. 

In a statement, BC Premier John Horgan called news of the plane crash “devastating,” noting that the Canadian flag at the Parliament Buildings in Victoria will be flown at half-mast to mark the deaths in the crash.

“Our hearts and thoughts are with the families and friends of loved ones lost and the greater Iranian-Canadian community in BC that enriches life in our province,” he said. “As we wait for answers about what happened, we join with nations around the world that are mourning this tragic loss of life. We share in their grief.”

Eric ZimmerEric Zimmer

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