Ukrainian plane crashes after take-off in Iran, killing all 176 aboard

All 176 people on board a Ukraine International Airlines flight were killed when it crashed shortly after takeoff from Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran, CNN writes with reference to Press TV.

The Boeing 737 jet took off early Wednesday morning with 167 passengers and nine crew on board.

Earlier reports from Iranian state media had said 180 people were on board.

🎥 تصاویر اولیه از حریق هواپیمای اوکراینی در منطقه شهریار#سقوط_هواپيما pic.twitter.com/UhdpNx0NME

— خبرگزاری تسنیم 🇮🇷 (@Tasnimnews_Fa) January 8, 2020

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a Facebook post that the country's embassy in Iran is “working to clarify information on the circumstances of the tragedy and the list of deceased passengers.”

“My sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of all passengers and crew members,” Zelensky said.

Emergency crews were dispatched to the crash site but could not assist because the area was ablaze, said Pirhossein Koulivand, the head of Iran’s Emergency Medical Services.