Kyiv seeking transparent, impartial probe into plane crash in contacts with Tehran - Zelensky
KYIV. Jan 9 (Interfax) - Kyiv insists on a transparent investigation into the crash of a Ukrainian passenger jet outside of Tehran, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
"In our contacts with the Iranian side, we clearly insist on a transparent, comprehensive and objective investigation with a view to establishing the circumstances of this tragedy as soon as possible," the Ukrainian presidential office quoted Zelensky as saying in a telephone call with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday.
Zelensky offered his condolences on the death of British nationals in the crash of a Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) aircraft in Iran.
"Yesterday was without exaggeration a tragic day in the history of our countries. Please accept my deepest condolences and words of support for the relatives and friends of the British citizens who died in the catastrophe. Thank you for your solidarity and empathy," Zelensky said, according to the English-language version of the official presidential website.
The Ukrainian leader encouraged the United Kingdom to join the investigation into the crash.
Johnson welcomed the idea and agreed that the best British specialists should be engaged in looking into all circumstances of the tragedy.
A Boeing 737-800 operated by UIA crashed shortly after takeoff from Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran early on Wednesday morning, killing all 167 passengers and 9 crewmembers onboard.
The fatalities included 11 citizens of Ukraine (two passengers and nine crew), 82 citizens of Iran, 63 of Canada, ten of Sweden, four of Afghanistan, and three citizens each of Germany and the United Kingdom.