On Sunday, cities throughout Canada will observe the third anniversary of the attack on Flight PS752, which tragically killed all 176 people on board.
The Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims has scheduled ceremonies that will include speeches, presentations and performances, and a candle light vigil. At least 12 other cities across the country will hold their own events to remember the victims of Flight PS752 and to express solidarity with the Iranian Revolution.
In London, commemorative events will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday at Oxford Street West and Proudfoot Lane.
On January 8, 2020, Flight PS752 was shot down by the Iranian military, leaving 167 passengers and nine crew members dead. The flight had just taken off from Tehran, Iran en route to Kyiv, Ukraine. Investigations later revealed that the passenger airplane was mistaken for a cruise missile. Hassan Rouhani, who was president of Iran at the time, blamed the act on “human error,” adding that his country was deeply apologetic for the error and for those affected by the plane crash.
Though the attack happened overseas, the losses hit close to home for many Canadians.
According to flight records, 138 of the passengers onboard were travelling to Canada via Ukraine. Among the deceased were 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents, the government of Canada reported.
Western University students Ghazal Nourian, Hadis Hayatdavoudi, Milad Nahavandi, and Sajedeh Saraiean were among the victims.
In September 2022, the Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims brought its case to international criminal court.
“The Association is committed to ensuring that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are held accountable before an impartial international court of justice for the downing of Flight PS752,” the Association said.
