Boeing 737-800 tail No. UR-PSR that crashed in Iran Jan 8 / REUTERS
A group will be sent to Iran to assist in the search operation and specialists to investigate the causes of the disaster.
The State Aviation Administration of Ukraine has banned Ukrainian air carriers from flying in Iranian airspace starting January 9 to determine the causes of the crash of the Boeing 737, operated by Ukraine International Airlines (UIA).
"We condole with the families and relatives of those killed in the crash in Iran. By the decision of the State Aviation Administration, flights to Iranian airspace were prohibited for Ukrainian airlines effective 00:00 January 9, 2020, until the causes of the accident are clarified. The State Aviation Administration will conduct an unscheduled check of UIA's airworthiness. Additional safety checks will also be carried out regarding other carriers," the press service of the Infrastructure Ministry quoted Minister Vladyslav Kryklii as saying.
The minister said that, according to preliminary data, 167 passengers and nine crew members were registered for the Tehran-Kyiv flight.
Read alsoUkrainian passenger jet crashes near Tehran airport (Photo, video)
"There were 11 Ukrainians. These are nine crew members and two passengers. Most of the passengers aboard the plane were citizens of Canada, Iran, Sweden, Afghanistan, Germany, and the UK. Psychologists and doctors are working at Boryspil Airport to assist the families of the victims," said Kryklii.
It is noted that the causes of the crash will be thoroughly investigated.
"The Iranian national commission to investigate the crash has begun its work. The Ukrainian ambassador and consul are working closely with the Iranian aviation authorities to determine as soon as possible the causes of the crash and repatriate the bodies of Ukrainians," the statement said.
It is also noted that a team will be sent to Iran to assist in the search operation and experts – to investigate the causes of the crash. The team consists of five officials with the National Bureau of Investigation of Accidents and Incidents with Civil Aircraft, two experts with the State Aviation Administration, and three representatives of UIA. The causes of the tragedy will be known only after an official investigation is over," the report said.
As UNIAN reported earlier, the Boeing 737-800 flight PS752, operated by UIA, crashed near Tehran Airport shortly after takeoff early Wednesday.
Read alsoUIA says no flight safety alerts regarding Tehran received before Boeing 737 crash
All passengers and crew died in the crash.
According to preliminary information, there were 167 passengers and nine crew members on board.
Ukraine International Airlines was founded in 1992. It operates flights to the capitals and key cities of Europe, Asia, Africa, the CIS, and the USA, providing connections with the routes of its international partners. UIA's base is Kyiv Boryspil International Airport.