Deaths of Ryerson Engineering Students on Iranian Soil devastate Ryerson Community

Rescue teams work the crash site of a Ukrainian airliner on Jan. 8. (AFP/Google Images)

Written by: Aru Kaul

A Ukrainian plane was shot down Iranian soil last Wednesday, taking the lives of many, including two Ryerson students.

On Jan. 9, students and staff at Ryerson University received an email informing them about the death of two students. Mahsa Amirliravi and Mohsen Salahi were engineering students who died in the plane crash of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 in Iran. 

The flag in the quad has been lowered to half mast as a recognition of this tragedy and all the lives that were lost. There was also a small vigil held in the quad yesterday at 4 p.m. There are also many support options available to those affected by this tragedy. Counselling and health services are available to students, faculty and staff if they should need it. 

“At difficult times like these, I encourage all Ryerson community members to turn to one another for comfort and support,” said President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Mohamed Lachemi. 

Amirliravi and Salahi were not the only Canadians to have died on that flight. There were a total of 176 deaths, including 57 of those that were Canadian.

Canada is a popular destination for Iranian graduate and postdoctoral students to study abroad and conduct research. As a result, there were many students on the flight, who were returning to university after the winter break.

There is no direct flight between Canada and Iran. For that reason, the Ukraine International Airlines flight from Tehran, then Kiev, then Toronto is popular because of its affordability. 

Tributes were held across the country. More than 100 people attended the public vigil organized in Toronto by the Iranian Canadian Congress. Flags at city hall are also lowered. Another vigil was held on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. This vigil was attended by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who will be meeting families of the plane crash victims on Friday. 

“Canadians have questions and they deserve answers,” Trudeau said.

Trudeau also mentioned that Canada would work closely with its partners to ensure a thorough investigation of the crash and request the presence of Canadian officials in Iran to assist families and participate in any investigation linked to the incident.

"This is a heartbreaking tragedy. While no words will erase your pain, we want you to know that an entire country is with you, we share your grief," Trudeau said.