Three Brits confirmed dead after Ukrainian Airlines plane crash kills 176 in Iran

8 January 2020, 08:02 | Updated: 8 January 2020, 10:42

Three British citizens are among the 176 people killed on board a Ukrainian commercial airliner that crashed after take-off from Tehran.

Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed three Brits were on board the flight. He instructed prosecutors to open criminal proceedings in the wake of the crash.

An investigation team has been deployed to the site of the crash in south-western outskirts of Tehran, civil aviation spokesman Reza Jafarzadeh said.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister posted online: “We are currently aware of the following information on the countries of origin of those killed in the crash #PS752 : Iran - 82; Canada - 63; Ukraine - 2 + 9 (crew); Sweden - 10; Afghanistan - 4; Germany - 3; United Kingdom - 3. We express our condolences. The Ukrainian authorities continue to investigate."

“After taking off from Imam Khomeini International Airport, it crashed between Parand and Shahriar,” he said. “An investigation team from the national aviation department was dispatched to the location after the news was announced.”

The Boeing 737 travelling from Tehran to Kiev crashed outside the city.

Pir Hossein Kulivand, an Iranian emergency official, later told state TV all those on board were killed in the crash. He said rescuers were trying to collect the dead.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said: "My sincere condolences to the relatives and friends of all passengers and crew."

Iranian State TV had previously said there were 180 passengers and crew aboard.

Flight data from the airport showed a Ukrainian 737-800 flown by Ukraine International Airlines took off on Wednesday morning, then stopped sending data almost immediately afterwards, according to website FlightRadar24. The airline did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Boeing have said they are aware of the reports and are in the process of "gathering more information".

State TV has claimed the crash was caused by mechanical issues.

An Associated Press journalist who reached the crash site saw a wide field of debris scattered across farmland. The dead lay among shattered pieces of the aircraft.

Rescuers in masks shouted over the noise of hovering helicopters as they worked.

The crash came hours after Iran launched a ballistic missile attack targeting two bases in Iraq housing US forces, in retaliation for the killing of Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of life in the plane crash in Iran overnight.

"We are urgently seeking confirmation about how many British nationals were on board and will do all we can to support any families affected."