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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Ellena Cruse

Justin Trudeau promises justice for victims of Iran plane crash as thousands gather for memorial

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has vowed to get justice for those who died in the downing of a Ukrainian jetliner in Iran.

Speaking at one of the memorial services for the victims in Edmonton, Alberta, the leaders said it had been gut-wrenching to listen to stories from relatives of 57 Canadians who died.

Many of the victims had come to Canada in search of new opportunities for their families, but those families are now consumed by grief and outrage, he said.

The Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 was shot down moments after taking off from Tehran on January 8, shortly after Iran had launched missiles at two airbases housing US forces in Iraq.

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All 176 on board were killed, including 138 who were headed for Canada and dozens of Iranians.

There were also nationals from the Ukraine, the UK, Afghanistan and Sweden.

Justin Trudeau speaks at a memorial service at the University of Alberta for the victims of a Ukrainian passenger plane (REUTERS)

Iran has admitted the plane was mistaken for a hostile target amid soaring tensions with the United States .

Mr Trudeau called it a Canadian "tragedy".

Justin Trudeau is one of the leaders at a memorial service for victims of the Ukrainian plane crash (AP)

"This tragedy should never have occurred," he said, speaking to a crowd of more than 2,300 people.

"We will not rest until there are answers. We will not rest until there is justice and accountability."

A woman weeps during a memorial service at the University of Toronto in Toronto (AFP via Getty Images)

Other memorials were held Sunday across the country.

At the Vancouver Art Gallery, National Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan also called the crash a national tragedy.

A woman reacts during a memorial service at the University of Toronto in Toronto (AFP via Getty Images)

At the University of Toronto, many cried throughout the ceremony as speakers listed victims, including a one-year-old.

The congregation broke out in raucous applause when various speakers and politicians said Iran would be held accountable.

Fati Mortazavi, whose best friend died in the crash, said having a community come together helped her cope with the tragedy.

"It's so comforting for us," said Mortazavi.

"As long as we know that someone cares for these people, that's so important for us."

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland attended the vigil in Toronto and said the loss goes well beyond the university.

"This is Toronto's loss, this is Ontario's loss and this is Canada's loss," an emotional Freeland told the vigil.

"Nothing will ever replace these brilliant lives that have been cut short. We will always ... bear these scars."

Mourners gather at the Imam Mahdi Islamic Centre in Toronto (AFP via Getty Images)

Three members of Canada's standing rapid deployment team arrived Saturday in Iran to establish a base of operations for the Canadian government in the wake of the crash.

Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said on Sunday that Iran has approved visas for six more members of the team, who are currently in Ankara, Turkey, as well as for two experts from the Transportation Safety Board.

The eight are to travel to Iran on Monday, Mr Champagne said in a series of tweets.

A spokesman for Mr Champagne said the officials "will be there to provide consular assistance to the families of the victims, including supporting repatriation of remains, to help identify victims and to assist in the investigation."

Mourners sign a book of condolence during a memorial service at the University of Toronto (AFP via Getty Images)

Canada's Transportation Board said it also plans to deploy a second team of investigators who specialize in aircraft recorder download and analysis.

Maple Leafs Foods chief executive Michael McCain, meanwhile, blamed U.S. President Donald Trump for the death of an employee's wife and family.

Mr McCain called Trump that "narcissist in Washington" and said the dead Canadians are collateral damage in a rare instance of a Canadian corporate leader making a strong political statement.

He said he's still grappling with the death of his colleague's wife and 11-year-old son.

"We are mourning and I am livid," he wrote in tweets that were sent from the official Maple Leaf Foods account.

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