A Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-800, performing a flight PS-752 from Tehran (Iran) to Kiev (Ukraine) with 167 passengers and 9 crew, was climbing out of Tehran, when the aircraft’s transponder signals ceased and the plane went off radars. All 176 people on board were killed.

UPDATED 8 January, 2019, 16:31 (GMT +2)

In a tweet, Vadym Prystaiko, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, has provided that 176 fatalities included 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians and 11 Ukrainians, 10 Swedish, four Afghan, three German and three British nationals on board.

According to Iranian state television, the two black boxes from the Boeing 737-800 have been recovered. Reportedly, both are damaged.

Therefore, initial reports had suggested that the reason could be in the failure of an engine. However, the latest reports say that the data was not official and the reason has not been determined, yet.

Nevertheless, more and more concerns are rising over the possibility that a plane has been downed by a missile. Especially, in light of recent tensions between the US and Iran. However, there is no official data or evidence to state the fact.

Ukraine’s Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk cautioned against speculation until the results of an investigation are released.

Meanwhile, numerous regulatory bodies and separate airlines are banning flights through Iranian airspace over safety concerns.

UPDATED 8 January, 2019, 13:34 (GMT +2)

The airline provided in a statement that the crashed Boeing NG was built in 2016 and delivered directly to the airline from the manufacturer. The last scheduled maintenance of the aircraft took place on 6 January, 2020.

The already launched investigation into the accident involves the aviation authorities of Ukraine, Iran, representatives of the Boeing manufacturer, the airline, and the National Bureau of Air Accidents Investigation of Ukraine.

INITIAL STORY

According to media reports, the aircraft crashed approximately five minutes after departure. Iranian aviation officials are quoted saying that the crew did not contact the tower with any emergency requests and did not indicate any problems.

It was found in an open field near Parand, a surbub of Tehran, near the last transponder position. All occupants perished in the crash.

We are following reports that a Ukrainian 737-800 has crashed shortly after takeoff from Tehran. #PS752 departed Tehran at 02:42UTC. Last ADS-B data received at 02:44UTC. https://t.co/qXWHUPGDTu pic.twitter.com/vuAi6TOqTp

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) January 8, 2020

On a social media Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the country’s embassy in Iran is “working to clarify information on the circumstances of the tragedy and the list of deceased passengers.” Most occupants were Irani citizens, a number of occupants were citizens of other nations.

The reason is not know and multiple versions are being considered. Among these are technical problems, terrorism . However, it is not known yet. Iran’s Accident Investigation Board reported all their investigators are out to investigate the crash.

The story is being updated.