Zelensky extends condolences to families of Iran plane crash victims

08.01.2020 09:44

Ukrinform

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has extended his condolences to the families of passengers of a Ukraine International Airlines plane that crashed near Tehran early on Wednesday, according to the Facebook page of the head of state.

"Terrible news from the Middle East. This morning, after taking off from the Imam Khomeini International Airport (Tehran), the Ukraine International Airlines passenger plane crashed near the airport," Zelensky wrote.

He added that according to preliminary reports, all passengers and crew had died. "Our embassy is verifying data about the circumstances of the tragedy and the lists of the victims. My sincere condolences to the loved ones of all passengers and crew," Zelensky said.

A Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) plane carrying 167 passengers and nine crew on board crashed near the Iranian capital, Tehran, shortly after take-off early on Wednesday, January 8.

The Boeing 737 was heading from Tehran to Kyiv. The preliminary cause of the crash is a technical issue.