Memorial service to be held for Ukrainian Airlines victims
Posted Jan 9, 2020 11:20 am.
Last Updated Jan 9, 2020 1:39 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
EDMONTON – A memorial service will be held in Edmonton for the victims of the Ukrainian Airlines flight PS752.
The Ukrainian Airlines flight was leaving Tehran the Iranian capital on Wednesday morning when it crashed shortly after take-off.
In a statement released by the Iranian Heritage Society Wednesday night, a memorial service will be held on Sun. Jan. 12, 2020.
Following the crash, Justin Trudeau and Jason Kenney spoke out about the incident.
READ MORE:
Trudeau pledges Canadian support to investigation of Iran plane crash
Kenney issues statement following plane crash
As Wednesday continued, Trudeau confirmed that the crash which killed all 176 passengers, had 138 passengers connecting to a flight in Ukraine that was bound for Toronto’s Pearson Airport.
Out of the 176 passengers aboard the airplane, 63 were Canadians.
One of the hardest cities hit by the losses was Edmonton.
The Iranian Heritage Society confirmed that 27 Iranian-Edmonontonians were among the dead.
Following the tragedy, the Edmonton Iranian Community held a vigil at the legislature.
WATCH MORE: Mourning Edmonton victims of Iran plane crash at vigil. Dalia S Ashry has more.
Among those affected in Edmonton was the University of Alberta. University President David Turpin confirmed in a statement that at least 9 of the victims were affiliated with the school.
READ MORE:
‘It’s devastating’: Edmontonians among those killed in Iran plane crash
WATCH MORE: ‘Incredible loss of talent’: University of Alberta reeling after Tehran plane crash. Carly Robinson has more.
WATCH MORE: Some of those closest to the victims spoke to CityNews’ Rachelle Elsiufi.
The University of Alberta was not alone for losing members of their school. In Calgary, two University of Calgary Alumni and a grade 12 high school student at Western Canada High School were among the victims. In Toronto, the University of Toronto also confirmed the loss of 6 students.
WATCH MORE: Students mourn classmates lost in Ukrainian plane crash. Ginella Massa has more.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help arrange a funeral for the Edmonton-Iranian victims. As Edmonton’s Iranian community mourns, so does the rest of Canadian-Iranian community.
READ MORE:
Iranian-Canadians killed in plane crash part of growing diaspora community
What we know about the Canadians killed in the Ukrainian plane crash
As the investigation continues on trying to determine the cause of the crash. Trudeau and Transport Minister Marc Garneau ensured that Canada would apart of the investigation process in Tehran.
“Our government will continue to work closely with its international partners to ensure that this crash is thoroughly investigated, and that Canadians’ questions are answered.” – Trudeau
