Families to honour loved ones lost on second anniversary of downing of plane in Iran

TORONTO -- Families are set to commemorate the loss today of loved ones who died after Iranian forces downed a passenger jet two years ago.

A Ukrainian International Airlines flight was shot down by Iranian forces two years ago on Jan. 8, 2020.

More than 100 of the 176 people killed in the crash had ties to Canada.

The Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims says part of the ceremony will be virtual followed by an outdoor vigil in Toronto.

The association says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor John Tory will participate virtually.

Iran snubbed another deadline earlier this week set by Canada and its allies to negotiate a settlement for the families.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 8, 2022.

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  People gather at the University of Manitoba for a vigil organized by the University of Manitoba Iranian Students Association (UMISA) for the Winnipeg victims killed in a plane crash in Iran in Winnipeg Friday, January 10, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods