A ceremony was held in Richmond Hill, Ont., where many individuals gathered to honor the victims of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752, which tragically crashed in Iran six years ago. The flight was shot down by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps shortly after taking off in Tehran, resulting in the loss of all 176 passengers on board, including 55 Canadians and 30 permanent residents. Among the victims, 44 had connections to Richmond Hill.
The event, organized by the Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims, served as a platform not only to remember those who perished but also to advocate for truth and justice regarding the incident. Kourosh Doustshenas, the association’s spokesperson, emphasized the importance of uncovering the truth and seeking justice to bring closure to the families affected by the tragedy.
Amirali Alavi, who lost his mother, Neda Sadighi, in the crash, shared his emotional journey of loss and injustice. He described his mother as a compassionate and dedicated individual whose life was abruptly cut short. Alavi expressed the challenges of processing such a loss compounded by the injustice surrounding the incident, highlighting the ongoing struggle for closure.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, speaking at the ceremony, conveyed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Canadian government to the families of the victims. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to pursuing justice and accountability for the downing of the plane, pledging to exhaust all legal avenues in holding Iran responsible for the tragedy.
In a parallel development, the Ontario government announced a $350,000 contribution to support the construction of a memorial in Richmond Hill dedicated to the Flight PS752 victims. The memorial, set to commence construction in mid-2026, will provide a space for reflection and healing, honoring the lives lost and the resilience of the affected families.
The province outlined that the memorial will feature steel panels and an engraved granite base listing all victims’ names, with completion expected by 2027. This initiative aims to offer a place of remembrance and solidarity for the community, marking a significant step in honoring the memory of those lost in the tragic incident.
