'Shocked, saddened': Ashok Gehlot after Ukrainian plane crashes in Iran killing over 170

A Ukrainian airliner carrying at least 170 passengers crashed on Wednesday due to technical problems soon after taking off from Tehran's Imam Khomeini airport, and all aboard were killed, Iran's state television and a Ukrainian official said.

Reacting to this, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot expressed his deepest condolences. Taking to Twitter, he wrote, "Shocked and saddened to kw of tragic news that a Boeing 737 plane crashed in Iran, in which all passengers on board are reportedly killed."

He also said that his thoughts and prayers are with bereaved families and may God give m strength in this most difficult time.

'Shocked and saddened to kw of tragic news'

'Garing more information'

Boeing 737 belonging to Ukraine International Airlines crashed near airport and burst into flames. A Ukrainian foreign ministry official in Kyiv said all crew and passengers aboard were killed, citing information from airline. re was official word from Ukraine International Airlines.

" fire is so heavy that we cant (do) any rescue... we have 22 ambulances, four bus ambulances and a helicopter at site," Pirhossein Koulivand, head of Iran's emergency services, told Iranian state television. In a statement, Boeing said it was "aware of media reports" of incident, and that it was "garing more information".

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READ | Ukraine International Airlines plane crashes in Tehran; all 180 aboard dead

Calhoun replaces Dennis Muilenburg

incident came just hours after Iran launched a retaliatory attack on two US military bases in Iraq. incident also happened just days before company's new CEO David Calhoun will formally take job. Calhoun replaces Dennis Muilenburg, who was ousted in December after Boeing's disastrous year.

American aviation giant is still reeling from aftermath of two 737 Max crashes, which killed 346 people. Max has been grounded worldwide since March, and company has struggled with delays and or issues in its bid to get planes back in air.

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(With ncy inputs)