UPDATE - 01/08/2019 2:25 PM

Premier Brian Pallister has released a statement regarding the plane crash.

"I am saddened to hear of the plane crash that took place in Tehran, Iran late yesterday. 

We mourn alongside the families and friends of the Manitobans who were tragically taken from us. 

We also grieve for all other passengers and crew aboard Flight PS752, which included 63 Canadians. 

On behalf of all Manitobans and all members of the Manitoba legislature, I offer my sincere condolences to the family and friends of the victims. 

Our thoughts and prayers go out to you during this very difficult time.

The provincial flag will fly at half-mast in Memorial Park, in memory of all the victims."

**UPDATE - 01/08/2019 12:45 PM**

Four confirmed Winnipeg residents were killed in the crash, with another two Winnipeggers believed to have been on the flight. The people that have been lost are 43-year-old Mehdi Sadeghi, 10-year-old Anisa Sadeghi, 41-year-old Bahareh Haj Esfandiari, and 38-year-old Forough Khadem.

**UPDATE - 01/08/2019 8:00 AM**

Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne has responded to news of the crash in a tweet. 

As well, Iranian officials have said they won't turn the black boxes from the flight over to Boeing or the United States, or allow the U.S. to be a part of the investigation in any way. They're allowing Ukrainian officials to be a part of the investigation.

We'll continue to monitor this story as it unfolds.

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Not long after takeoff, a Ukraine International Airlines flight heading from Tehran, Iran to Kyiv, Ukraine crashed to the ground this morning, killing all 176 people on board including 63 Canadians.

Other victims include 82 Iranians, 11 Ukrainians, 10 people from Sweden, as well as a few people from Afghanistan, Germany, and Great Britain.

An investigation is underway, but no links, if any, have been established yet to the crash and current tensions between Iran and the United States. Officials from Ukraine and Iran both suspect a mechanical issue is what brought down the Boeing 737-800 plane.