Too early to speculate on cause of airliner crash in Iran
Transport Minister Marc Garneau says it’s too early to say what caused a plane to crash in Iran, killing all 176 aboard, including 138 who were ultimately headed to Canada.
But Garneau says it’s clear that something “very unusual” happened.
He says the pilot lost communication with controllers shortly after a normal takeoff.
He’s urging against speculation until an investigation reveals more.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says there were 138 empty seats on a plane that landed in Toronto this afternoon.
They were supposed to be filled by people aboard the downed flight who were set to connect in Kyiv.
Meanwhile, the Iranian military is disputing any suggestion that the Ukrainian airliner that crashed on the outskirts of Tehran was brought down by a missile.
A spokesman for Iran’s Road and Transportation Ministry says the pilot lost control after fire erupted in one of the plane’s engines.
He didn’t explain how he was able to confirm that information.
