On 8 January 2020, Ukraine International Airlines flight 752 bound from Tehran to Kiev crashed on takeoff from Tehran International Airport, killing all 167 passengers and 9 crew members on board.
A statement released by UIA expressed the airlines condolences to the families of the victims of the air crash, and promised that passenger lists would be released shortly.
According to the airline, the Boeing 737-800 aircraft was new and well-maintained, with the last scheduled maintenance taking place just two days before the accident.
The flight was operated on a Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft (registration UR-PSR). The aircraft was built in 2016 and delivered directly to the airline from the manufacturer. The last scheduled maintenance of the aircraft took place on 06 January, 2020.
For information about passengers who were onboard of flight PS752, contact Ukraine International Airline by phone: (0-800-601-527) – telephone is free for all calls within Ukraine or for international calls (+38-044-581-50-19).
Investigation will be conducted with the involvement of the aviation authorities of Ukraine, Iran, representatives of the Boeing manufacturer, the airline, and the National Bureau of Air Accidents Investigation of Ukraine. The airline will inform about the progress of the investigation and the causes of the tragic event as soon as they are identified.
A press release on the website of the National Bureau of Air Accidents Investigation of Ukraine confirmed that they were putting together a team to participate in the investigation of the incident.
List of Victims
Ukraine International Airlines has released the surnames, names and year of birth of the victims of the crash.
Please note that this information is provisional and unverified. If you have information on any of the victims or would like to pay tribute to them, or if would like supplement or provide corrections to the information given here, please do not hesitate to write to us at editors(at)technicalpolitics.com.
Again, while we are doing our best to correctly identify each of the victims, please verify the information below from other sources.
Mohamm Abaspourqadi (1986)
Mojtaba Abbasnezhad (1993)
Mojtaba Abbasnezhad from the city of Ahvaz was a doctoral student in engineering at the University of Toronto. The following excerpt is from a tribute was paid by the University of Toronto School of Engineering:
Abbasnezhad, known to friends as Sorush, was born in 1993. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering in 2015 at Shahid Chamran University in the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz. He then moved to the University of Tehran, where he earned a Master of Science degree in Digital Electronic Systems in 2018. His thesis project involved hardware acceleration of an embedded system for monitoring distributed fibre optic sensors.
Abbasnezhad worked as a Digital Design Engineer at Samim Group, a media and communications technology company headquartered in Iranshahr, before moving to Canada in 2019. Last September, Abbasnezhad began his PhD studies at the University of Toronto in The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering under the supervision of Professor Roman Genov (ECE). He also served as the teaching assistant for a second-year course on digital systems.
Seyedmehran Abtahiforoushani (1982)
Seyed Mehran Abtahi Foroushani was a PhD student in the Membrane Science and Technology research group of the Université Paul Sabatier – Toulouse III (France) and the University of Leuven (Belgium), and defended his dissertation in 2018.1
Iman Aghabali (1991)
Iman Aghbadi was a PhD student at McMaster University in Canada. The following is his biography from the McMaster University website:
Iman Aghabali received his B.Sc. in electrical engineering, electronics from Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, Iran in July 2015. He continued his graduate studies in the field of power electronics in University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran and accomplished his M.Sc. degree in July 2017. In summer 2017, he joined McMaster University as a PhD student to pursue his research interests under supervision of Prof. Ali Emadi in McMaster automotive resource center (MARC), Hamilton, Ontario. His research interests include design and control of power electronics converters in hybrid electric vehicles applications.
Agha Miri Maryam 1973
Ahmadi Motahereh 2011
Ahmadi Muh Sen 2014
Ahmadi Rahmtin 2010
Ahmadi Sekinhe 1989
Ahmady Mitra 1973
Amirliravi Mahsa 1989
Fareed Arasteh 1987
Fareed Arasteh was a PhD student at Carleton University, Canada, and was returning from Iran following his marriage to his longtime girlfriend, Maral Gorginpour, who was not on board the flight. According to the Ottawa Citizen, Arasteh was working on was titled “Identification of novel gene functions in the model fungal organism, the baker’s yeast.”
In the same article, his PhD supervisor, Professor Ashkan Golshani paid the following tribute:
“Generally speaking, there are two types of students: the students that you have to push, and the students who push you. Fareed was the type of student who pushed you. He was extremely determined, and such a nice guy and a gentle guy. He was a gentleman.” […]
“He was an ideal graduate student; someone you really want on your team,” Golshani added. “Given the opportunity I am sure he would have excelled into a one-of-a-kind scientist.”
Arshia Arbabbahrami 2000
Arshia Arbabbahrami was a student at Western Canada High School, and was returning to Canada after spending the holidays with family in Iran.
A close friend is reported in the Calgary Herald as paying tribute to him saying, “He probably would have been one of the greatest doctors. He would always talk about the universities he wanted to go to. He had all these plans for the future and it wasn’t like he was in a bad place and wouldn’t be able to achieve those (goals). He was more than ready and was set to go.”
Arsalani Evin 1990
Mohammad Asadi-Lari (1996)
Mohammad Asadi-Lari MD/PhD was travelling back from a visit to family in Iran with his sister, Zeynab Asadi-Lari, also a student at the University of Toronto.
Colleagues paid tribute to Mohammed for his passion for STEM education and youth-focused activities:
A MD/PhD student at the Faculty of Medicine, Asadi-Lari was in the second year of the eight-year program. […] Among his many accomplishments was helping to found the Canadian Association for Physician Innovators and Entrepreneurs (CAIPE). Reflecting on Asadi-Lari’s legacy, Dr. Alexandra Greenhill, Board Chair of CAPIE, said “…his incredible mind, heart and energy will be missed. Being a truly gifted forward-thinker and systems-thinker, we know he would want us to focus on the future, on innovating and on contributing—so let’s remember him for all the ‘can-do’ and ‘must-do’ attitude he brought into the world.”
Asadilari Zeynab 1998
Ashrafi Habibabadi Amir 1991
Attar Mahmood 1950
Azadian Roja 1977
Azhdari Ghanimat 1983
Badiei Ardestani Mehraban 2001
Bashiri Samira 1990
Beiruti Mohammad Amin 1990
Borghei Negar 1989
Choupannejad Shekoufeh 1963
Dadashnejad Delaram 1993
Daneshmand Mojgan 1976
Dhirani Asgar 1945
Djavadi Asll Hamidreza 1967
Djavadi Asll Kian 2002
Ebnoddin Hamidi Ardalan 1971
Ebnoddin Hamidi Kamyar 2004
Ebrahim Niloufar 1985
Ebrahimi Khoei Behnaz 1974
Eghbali Bazoft Shahrokh 1960
Eghbali Bazoft Shahzad 2011
Parisa Eghbalian (1977)
Parisa Eghbalian was a dentist based in Aurura, Ontario. She was killed in the plane crash with her daughter, Reera Esmaeilion.
Mohammad Mahdi Elyasi (1991)
Mohammad Elyasi graduated from the University of Alberta in 2017, and studied subsequently at the University of Toronto. According to the Edmonton Journal, he was working for a company that was creating drones for first responders, and was helping settle Syrian refugees in Canada. She was flying back from Iran following a visit to Iran timed to coincide with her sister’s engagement party.
Emami Sayedmahdi 1959
Emami Sophie 2014
Mehdi Eshaghian (1995)
Mehdi Eshaghian was a PhD student at McMaster University in Canada. The following is his biography from the McMaster University website:
Mehdi Eshaghian graduated with B.Sc. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran. In September 2018, he joined the McMaster Automotive Resource Centre (MARC) for pursing his M.Sc. at McMaster University in Mechanical Engineering under the supervision of Dr. Ali Emadi. His research interests include autonomous vehicles, robotics, and control systems in general.
Reera Esmaeilion 2010
Reera Esmaeilion was the daughter of Parisa Eghbalian, also killed in the plane crash, and Hamed Esmaeilion who was in Canada at the time. Reera was a student at the Adrienne Clarkson School in the York Region School District in Ontario, Canada. In the days following, her father posted a video from her piano recital online.
The father of 9-year-old Reera Esmaeilion, one of the victims of flight #PS752 published this video of his late daughter playing the piano in Canada. Hamed also lost his dentist wife, Dr. Parisa Eghbalian, in the #Iran plane shoot down that killed 176. pic.twitter.com/S12Ku4n5ED
— Iran News Wire (@IranNW) January 10, 2020
Esnaashary Esfahani Mansour 1990
Faghihi Sharieh 1961
Falsafi Faezeh 1973
Falsafi Faraz 1988
Farzaneh Aida 1986
Feghahati Shakiba 1980
Foroutan Marzieh 1982
Ghaderpanah Iman 1985
Ghaderpanah Parinaz 1986
Ghafouri Azar Siavash 1984
Ghandchi Daniel 2011
Ghandchi Dorsa 2003
Ghasemi Ariani Milad 1987
Ghasemi Dastjerdi Fatemeh 1994
Ghasemi Amirhossein 1987
Ghasemi Kiana 2000
Ghavi Mandieh 1999
Ghavi Masoumeh 1989
Gholami Farideh 1981
Ghorbani Bahabadi A 1998
Golbabapour Suzan 1970
Gorji Pouneh 1994
Haghjoo Saharnaz 1982
Hajesfandiari Bahareh 1978
Hajiaghavand Sadaf 1992
Hajighassemi Mandieh 1981
Hamzeei Sara 1986
Hasani/sadi Zahra 1994
Hashemi Shanrzad 1974
Hassannezhad Parsa 2003
Hatefi Mostaghim Sahan 1987
Hayatdavoudi Hadis 1992
Jadidi Elsa 2011
Jadidi Pedran 1991
Jamshidi Shadi 1988
Mohammad Jebelli (1990)
Mohammad Amin Jebelli, or Amin to classmates, was a student at the University of Toronto, studying a Masters of Health Science in Translational Research.
In a press release from the University’s Faculty of Medicine, it was stated that Jebelli had practised medicine and served as a medic in Iran, and had graduated from the Tehran University of Medical Sciences with a doctorate in medicine.
Kadkhoda Zaden Mohammaddam 1979
Kadkhodazaden Kasha 1990
Karamimoghadam Bahareh 1986
Katebi Rahimen 1999
Kaveh Azaden 1979
Kazerani Fatemeh 1987
Khadem Forough 1981
Kobiuk Olga 1958
Lindberg Emil 2012
Lindberg Erik 2010
Lindberg Raheleh 1982
Lindberg Mikael 1979
Madani Firouzeh 1965
Maghsoudlouestarabadi Siavash 1976
Maghsoudlouesterabadi Paria 2004
Mahmoodi Fatemeh 1989
Malakhova Olena 1981
Malek Maryam 1979
Maleki Dizaje Fereshteh 1972
Mamani Sara 1983
Mianji Mohammadjavad 1992
Moeini Mohammad 1984
Moghaddam Rosstin 2010
Mohammadi Mehdi 1999
Molani Hiva 1981
Molani Kurdia 2018
Moradi Amir 1998
Morattab Arvin 1984
Soheila Moshref Razavi Moghaddam (1964)
Soheila Massoumeh Moshref Razavi Moghaddam was the mother of three children, and lived in West Vancouver, Canada, and worked at the North Vancouver Travelodge.
Mousavi Daria 2005
Mousavi Dorina 2010
Mousavibafrooei Pedram 1972
Nabiyi Elnaz 1989
Naderi Farzahen 1981
Naghibi Zahra 1975
Naghib Lahouti Mehr 1987
Nahavandi Milad 1985
Niazi Arnica 2011
Niazi Arsan 2008
Niknam Farhad 1975
Norouzi Alireza 2008
Nourian Ghazal 1993
Oladi Alma 1992
Omidbakhsh Roja 1996
Ovaysi Amir Hossein 1978
Ovaysi Asal 2013
Pasavand Fatemeh 2002
Pey Alireza 1972
Pourghaderi Ayeshe 1983
Pourjam Mansour 1966
Pourshabanoshibi Naser 1966
Pourzarabi Arash 1993
Raana Shahab 1983
Rahimi Jiwan 2016
Rahimi Razgar 1981
Rahmanifar Nasim 1994
Razzaghi Khamsi Ni 1974
Rezai Mahdi 2000
Rezae Hossain 1999
Saadat Saba 1998
Saadat Sara 1996
Saadat Zeinolabedin 1990
Kasra Saati 1972
Kasra Saati had been living in Calgary since 2013. According to the Calgary Herald, “Saati is survived by his wife, 11-year-old son Daniel, and a daughter born just over a year ago. He had been visiting relatives in Iran, where his wife and children remain, over the holidays.”
Kasra had been working as a Quality Engineer with Viking Air Limited since February 201, and before that had worked for Shaw Communications, SMART Technologies, Sanjel Canada Ltd., and Emerson Process Management, in Alberta, Canada.
Sadeghi Alvand 1990
Sadeghi Anisa 2009
Sadeghi Mirmohammad 1976
Sadeghi Sahand 1980
Sadighi Neda 1969
Sadr Niloufar 1958
Sadr Seyednoojan 2008
Saeedinia Amirhosse 1994
Safarpoorkoloor Pe 1999
Saket Mohammadhosse 1986
Salahi Moh 1988
Saleheh Mohammad 1987
Saraeian Sajedeh 1993
Setareh Kokab Hamid 1988
Shadkhoo Sheyda 1978
Shaterpour Khiaban 1988
Soltani Paniz 1991
Tahmasebi Khademasa 1984
Tajik Mahdi 1999
Tajik Shahram 1998
Tarbhai Afifa 1964
Tarbha Alina 1988
Toghian Darya 1997
Zarei Arad 2002
Zibaie Maya 2004
Zokaei Sam 1977
Reaction
In an emotional press conference, UIA CEO Yevhen Dykhne stated that this was the airline’s first such tragedy. He denied that there were any mechanical problems with the plane, and added that most of those on board the plane were scheduled to fly onwards to Canada.
A statement from Boeing read, “This is a tragic event and our heartfelt thoughts are with the crew, passengers, and their families. We are in contact with our airline customer and stand by them in this difficult time. We are ready to assist in any way needed.”
The US FAA issued guidance prohibiting US civil aviation operators from operating in the airspace over Iran, Iraq, and the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
Possible causes
While very shortly after the crash it was claimed that the plane’s downing was the result of mechanical failure, attention is now focused on two scenarios, either that the airplane was accidentally downed by a missile, or that it was deliberately targeted. There also remains an unlikely possibility that the crash was the result of malicious sabotage.
If deliberate targeting seems farfetched, it should be noted that in a tweet on 6 January 2020, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani suggested that flight IR655 was very much in Iranian authorities’ minds. Iran Air flight 655 was a scheduled passenger flight from Tehran to Dubai, that was shot down on 3 July 1988 by a surface-to-air missile fired from USS Vincennes, a missile cruiser in the US Navy stationed at that time in the Gulf.
More to follow.
Picture by Mehr News Agency, CC BY 4.0, Link.
