Send this page to someone via email

UPDATE, Thursday Jan. 9, 10:30 a.m.

Global news has confirmed a ninth person from Winnipeg died in the crash. For more on that story, head here.

Original story:

Global news has confirmed at least eight Winnipeggers died during a plane crash that killed 63 Canadians in Tehran, Iran.

Among the dead are two University of Manitoba students and a staff member, a family of three, and a mother and son.

From left Bahareh Haj Esfandiari, 41, Anisa Sadeghi, 10, and Mehdi Sadeghi, 43. Submitted/Facebook

The family, including Mehdi Sadeghi, 43, Anisa Sadeghi, 10, and Bahareh Haj Esfandiari, 41, were confirmed dead by Bahareh’s workplace, Welcome Place.

Story continues below advertisement

Forough Khadem, 38, also died in the crash. The former Ph. D student at the University of Manitoba worked in the field of immunology and worked with CancerCare Manitoba.

Forough Khadem, 38. Submitted/Facebook

Seemed like yesterday we celebrated your Ph.D. defense. You were one of my best trainees. So difficult to believe you are gone. Died in #Tehran crash. My heart is broken. 😭😭😭😭😭 @UM_Immu @umanitoba @UM_RadyFHS @um_research @umanitoba pic.twitter.com/JDKvJ70KGR — Jude (@drleish) January 8, 2020

Story continues below advertisement

Khadem and her Ph. D supervisor had a conversation by text just before she boarded the plane.

When Dr. Jude Uzonna asked her if she was well, Khadem replied: “I am ok. My flight back is tonight. Hopefully see you soon. Just a bit worried with the current news going on!!”

A text message exchange between Forough Khadem and her boss, Dr. Jude Uzonna.

Amirhossien Ghasemi, 32, was a grad student of biomedical engineering the University of Manitoba and a doctor.

Amir Shirzadi, a board member with the Manitoba Iranian Student Association, said his good friend Ghasemi was on his way back to Winnipeg after visiting family in Iran.

“I saw him before he left the country,” said Shirzadi, who added that the two played games together.

“I can’t use past tense. I think he’s coming back. We play again. We talk again. It’s too difficult to use past tense, too difficult. No one can believe it.”

Story continues below advertisement

Amirhossien Ghasemi, 32.

Amorhossien Ghorbani, 21. Submitted/Facebook

Ghasemi’s professor, Zahara Moussavi told Global News he was a bright student who was planning on getting married in the coming months.

“He got back to Iran to get engaged,” she said. “He was supposed to get married in summer.”

Story continues below advertisement

The others have been identified as Amirhossien Ghorbani, 21, as well as Farzahen Naderi, 38, and her son Nozhan Sadr, 11.

As we learn more details, we are grieving this devastating loss alongside the many affected by this horrible tragedy. Our flag has been lowered to half-mast in honour of the victims. — University of Manitoba (@umanitoba) January 8, 2020

Pembina Trails School Division confirmed two of their students died in the crash. Superintendent Ted Fransen said they would not be confirming names or ages of the students but did say they were in Grades 5 and 6.

Ukrainian officials say 63 Canadians are among the 176 people who were killed after a plane crashed near Iran’s capital, Tehran, early Wednesday morning.

Story continues below advertisement

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said 138 of those on board were connecting to Canada.

The crash, which killed everyone on board, happened early Wednesday morning, hours after Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on two Iraqi bases housing U.S. soldiers.

Ukrainian and Iranian officials have both said a mechanical issue likely caused the Ukraine International Airline‘s Boeing 737-800 aircraft to crash.

In a statement released Wednesday morning, Trudeau said he was “shocked and saddened” by the news of the crash and offered his condolences.

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, Sophie and I offer our deepest condolences to those who have lost family, friends, and loved ones in this tragedy,” the statement reads. “Our government will continue to work closely with its international partners to ensure that this crash is thoroughly investigated, and that Canadians’ questions are answered.”

Story continues below advertisement

Premier Brian Pallister said he was sad to hear about the crash.

“We mourn alongside the families and friends of the Manitobans who were tragically taken from us. We also grieve for all other passengers and crew aboard Flight PS752, which included 63 Canadians.

Saddened to hear of the tragic plane crash in Tehran. We mourn the loss of those on board, including the 63 Canadians and those with ties to Manitoba. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the victims during this difficult time. — Brian Pallister (@BrianPallister) January 8, 2020

“On behalf of all Manitobans and all members of the Manitoba legislature, I offer my sincere condolences to the family and friends of the victims. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you during this very difficult time.

“The provincial flag will fly at half-mast in Memorial Park, in memory of all the victims.”

The University of Manitoba also lowered its flag to half-mast Wednesday to honour the victims, including those with ties to the school.

Story continues below advertisement

-With files from Hannah Jackson and The Canadian Press