In addition to expressing sympathy with the families of the deceased of the crash, the vice president for science and technology affairs expressed his condolences for the passing of some of the academics of the country in the incident.

According to the public relations and information center of the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs, Sorena Sattari, the vice president for science and technology affairs, issued a message of condolences to the loss of a number of compatriots in the crash of the Tehran-Kiev plane.

The text of the message is presented below:

 “To him we shall return

Flying is not always a dream… it is sometimes a regret that cannot be easily forgotten. Again, we are in January, the month of bitter memories of flying… when commander Mansour Sattari was martyred…when the general Soleimani was martyred…the sad news of the passing of passengers in the Ukrainian jet cannot be simply forgotten. You cannot help but to whisper “(but now) I see with my own eyes, how life is leaving (me)”.

I extend my condolences to the families of the deceased, the academic society and all people, and I ask for health and tolerance for the survivors.

On January 8^th, a Boeing 737-800 aircraft owned by Ukrainian International Airlines that was flown from Imam Khomeini Airport to Kiev crashed around Sabashahr area after being disconnected from traffic control section. The airplane had 176 passengers and nine crews, and primary evaluations were indicative of the passing of all passengers.

This heartbreaking accident led to the passing of 23 students and graduates of universities of Iran.”