Straight Talk

Langara student, Lower Mainland family of three, and North Van couple killed in Ukraine International Airlines crash

by Charlie Smith on January 8th, 2020 at 9:58 AM
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      The tragic crash of an airplane in Iran has caused tremendous grief in Vancouver.

      Iran's ISNA news agency has reported that one of those who died was a 26-year-old Langara College international student, Delaram Dadashnejad. She was returning to Canada after spending the holiday season with her family.

      Dadashnejad was born in Tehran and was studying nutrition at Langara.

      In addition, a Lower Mainland family of three has also perished in the disaster.

      Kei Esmaeilpour, head of the Civic Association of Iranian Canadians, wrote on Facebook that Canadian society and the Iranian community lost one of its best families with the passing of Niloofar Razzaghi, Haymar Ebnoddin Hamidi, and Ardalan Ebnoddin Hamidi.

      B.C. Liberal MLA Joan left a message on Esmaeilpour's Facebook page saying she was lucky enough to know the family, adding that "they will be missed as part of the Canadian Iranian circle of friends we hold dear."

      Tehran-born Delaram Dadashnejad was returning to Vancouver to resume studies at Langara College when she was killed in the Ukraine International Airlines plane crash.
      Delaram Dadashnedad

      CBC News has reported that a North Vancouver couple in their 30s, engineer Hossein (Daniel) Saket and dental hygienist Fatemeh (Faye) Kazerani also didn't survive.

      And the Vancouver Sun has reported that a mother and daughter from North Vancouver, Ayeshe Pourghaderi and Fatemah Pasavand, are also among the dead.

      In addition, Dr. Firouzeh Madani and Dr. Naser Pourshabanoshibi, also of North Vancouver, were on the doomed flight, as were UBC alumni Mohammad Asadi-Lari, cofounder of Canadian Association of Physician Innovators and Entrepreneurs, and sister Zeynab Asadi-Lari.

      The Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-800 crashed not long after takeoff from Tehran with 63 Canadians onboard.

      All 176 passengers and crew died. According to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, 138 of the passengers were connecting to Canada.

      Video: Justin Trudeau says Canadians share the grief of those who are feeling the pain of losing loved ones.

      The Guardian has reported that 28 of the crash victims were from the Edmonton area.

      There are more than 210,000 people in Canada of Iranian ancestry.

      In the wake of this national tragedy, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has issued the following statement:

      “This morning, I join Canadians across the country who are shocked and saddened to see reports that a plane crash outside of Tehran, Iran, has claimed the lives of 176 people, including 63 Canadians.

      “On behalf of the Government of Canada, Sophie and I offer our deepest condolences to those who have lost family, friends, and loved ones in this tragedy. 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. Today, I assure all Canadians that their safety and security is our top priority. We also join with the other countries who are mourning the loss of citizens.

      “Minister Champagne has been in touch with the government of Ukraine, and is speaking to relevant authorities and to international partners. Minister Garneau is also working with officials from Transport Canada, and is reaching out to his international counterparts.

      “Friends and relatives of Canadian citizens believed to be on board can contact Global Affairs Canada's 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre by calling 613-996-8885 or 1-800-387-3124, or by sending an email to sos@international.gc.ca. Canadian citizens in Iran requiring consular assistance should contact the Canadian Embassy in Ankara at +90 (312) 409 2700 or call Global Affairs Canada’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre at +1 613-996-8885."

      Update

      On January 10, Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne said that 57 of the passengers were Canadian.

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