President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy commissioned to initiate criminal proceedings as regards the crash of a passenger plane of Ukraine International Airlines near Tehran International Airport (Iran). The Head of State also stressed the need to conduct an airworthiness test of the entire civilian fleet.
"Dreadful news from the Middle East. This morning, after taking off from Imam Khomeini International Airport (Tehran), the passenger aircraft of Ukraine International Airlines crashed near the airport. According to preliminary reports, all passengers and crew are dead. My sincere condolences to the families and friends of all passengers and crew members,” the President of Ukraine said.
According to him, the ambassador and consul of Ukraine in Iran are at the scene of the disaster.
“Pursuant to my instruction, the NSDC apparatus has established an operational headquarters. Special aircrafts for conveyance of the bodies have been prepared to depart to Tehran via the line of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense. We are waiting for the agreement of the Iranian side for departure,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President also tasked the Prosecutor General of Ukraine to initiate criminal proceedings regarding the UIA plane crash in Tehran.
“An investigation commission should be set up of representatives of the security agencies and agencies responsible for civil aviation. We have to check all the possible versions. Regardless of the conclusions on the causes of the Iranian catastrophe, the airworthiness of the entire civilian fleet will be tested,” the Head of State said.
“I keep all measures under personal control. I urge everyone to refrain from speculation and putting forward unverified versions of the disaster before the official announcements,” he added.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 11 Ukrainian (2 passengers and 9 crew members), 63 Canadian, 82 Iranian, 3 German, 10 Swedish, 4 Afghan and 3 British citizens were on board. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently updating the information on passengers.
Urgent inquiries can be obtained from the hotline of Ministry of Foreign Affairs: +38 (044) 238 16 57.