Iran admits to 'unintentionally' shooting down Ukrainian plane

  1. 16,851 Posts.
    This will disappoint @Lomu and a few others

    Iran has announced its military "unintentionally" shot down a Ukrainian jetliner, killing all 176 aboard.

    Key points:

    • A statement read on state TV said those responsible for the crash would be held accountable
    • The Boeing 737 went down during take-off from Tehran just hours after Iran attacked US forces
    • Officials says 82 Iranians, at least 63 Canadians and 11 Ukrainians died in the crash

    Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted "human error" was to blame for the downing of the passenger jet.


    "Our profound regrets, apologies and condolences to our people, to the families of all victims, and to other affected nations," he said.

    A statement read on state television said the airliner had flown close to a sensitive military site and the responsible parties will be held accountable.


    The jetliner, a Boeing 737 operated by Ukrainian International Airlines, went down on the outskirts of Tehran during take-off, just hours after Iran launched a barrage of missiles at US forces.


    Iran had denied for several days that a missile downed the aircraft.


    But then the US and Canada, citing intelligence, said they believed Iran shot down the aircraft.

    The plane, en route to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, was carrying 167 passengers and nine crew members from several countries, including 82 Iranians, at least 63 Canadians and 11 Ukrainians, according to officials.

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-11/iran-admits-to-shooting-down-ukrainian-plane/11860508

 
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