NewsNational News

Actions

Canada to give $25,000 CAD to victims' families of plane shot down in Iran

Posted at 8:53 PM, Jan 17, 2020
and last updated 2020-01-17 20:53:34-05

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Friday that his government will pay Canadian victims' families of last week's incident involving a plane being shot down in Iran.

The families will receive $25,000 CAD each.

A total of 57 victims from Canada were on board the flight that originated from Tehran bound for Kiev. All 176 on board were killed.

Late last week, the Iranian government said that unintentionally shot down the aircraft. This came after initally claiming that a mechanical error caused the plane crash.

"What happened last week was nothing short of a national tragedy, " Trudeau said on Friday. "To the families and loved ones of the victims: all Canadians are mourning your loss."

Trudeau hinted that economic sanctions placed on Iran adds to a challenging situation.

"This is a unique and unprecedented situation because of the international sanctions placed on Iran, and the difficulties that that imposes on these families," Trudeau said.

"These families have lost loved ones in extraordinary circumstances, and it makes this period of grieving that much more challenging, " Trudeau added. "Our government remains firmly committed to obtaining justice for those who lost loved ones - and that includes financial compensation."