Iran: Ukrainian Boeing-737 flight crash leaves 176 passengers killed

After taking off from Imam Khomeini airport in Tehran at 06:12 local time, the Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 to Kiev crashed shortly.

Several passengers, who were traveling on the flight, were from Canada and Iran.

Ukraine's Tehran embassy initially blamed engine failure but later removed the statement. It said any comment regarding the cause of the accident prior to a commission's inquiry was not official, reported BBC.

Rescue workers rushed to the spot following the mishap.

Among the victims were 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians, 11 Ukrainians including all nine crew, 10 Swedes, four Afghans, three Britons and three Germans, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko tweeted and confirmed.

Ukraine International Airlines  said that the plane was a Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft, registration UR-PSR, and 'was built in 2016 and delivered directly to the airline from the manufacturer', reported CNN.

According to reports, the black boxes from the crashed flight have been recovered.

Ukraine PM Oleksiy Honcharuk said it was early to speak on the cause of the crash.

"Any versions before the official conclusion is just manipulation,” Oleksiy Honcharuk was quoted as saying by CNN.

Politicians condole:

Boyko Borissov, Bulgarian Prime Minister,  tweeted: "I want to express my sincere condolences for the severe plane crash tragedy of an #ukrainianplane near the Iranian Imam Khomeini international airport. I empathize with the pain and suffering of the loved ones of the casualties."

Lithuanian President Gitanas NausÄ—da said: "#Lithuania extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and loved ones over the tragic aircraft accident in #Teheran which caused the loss of more than 170 lives. Our hearts are with you."