Significant Questions Remain Surrounding The Circumstances And Cause Of The Tragedy

On January 8, 2020, Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 was shot down near Tehran by an Iranian surface-to-air missile. The Government of Canada continues to work with international partners to pursue a thorough and credible investigation into the Ukraine International Airlines disaster, which took the lives of 176 people, including 55 Canadians and 30 permanent residents of Canada.

Significant questions remain surrounding the circumstances and cause of the tragedy. The families and loved ones of the victims deserve to know how and why Flight PS752 was shot down near Tehran.

To that end, François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has announced the formation of a Canadian forensic examination and assessment team, as recommended by the Ralph Goodale, Special Advisor for the Government of Canada’s ongoing response to the downing of Flight PS752.

“As a global community, it is in our power to ensure no one has to go through the same loss and shock that this terrible incident has caused. That is why we are taking this important step to get the grieving families and friends the answers they need, and to help ensure that another tragedy like this never happens again,” noted Marc Garneau, Canada's Minister of Transport.

The forensic team consists of public servants from several federal departments and agencies with relevant skill sets and expertise, and is led by Jeff Yaworski, formerly the Deputy Director of Operations at the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. The team will collect, organize and analyze all available information, evidence and intelligence about the PS752 disaster, and will advise the government on its credibility and probative value. The team will report to the national security and intelligence advisor to the prime minister.

The Government of Canada promises that it will continue to work closely with its international partners to advocate for transparency, accountability and justice, including by ensuring that Iran makes full reparations, for the victims of PS752 and their grieving families.

FMI: www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs.html