Published 20:44 IST, January 10th 2020

Verified videos show plane in Iran impacted before downing

In the pitch black, pre-dawn sky on the outskirts of the Iranian capital Tehran, a tiny fast-moving light can be seen racing up through the trees, as someone films from the ground. Then there is a flash of light as it seems to collide with something in the air.

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In pitch black, pre-dawn sky on outskirts of Iranian capital Tehran, a tiny fast-moving light can be seen racing up through trees, as someone films from ground. n re is a flash of light as it seems to collide with something in air.

It is ill-fated Ukrainian International airliner which h taken off Wednesday just hours after Iran h fired missiles at U.S. bases in Iraq in retaliation for slaying of its top military man, Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

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Western leers have said plane seemed to have been unintentionally brought down by a surface-to-air missile near Tehran. Iran denies that a missile was to blame.

Videos verified by Associated Press show final seconds of jet and what likely brought it down, killing all 176 people on board.

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One video seems to show impact. Buildings can seen from ground level below darkened sky as tiny light arches urd, n flash. scene is silent, except for a dog barking nearby. n 10 seconds later, re is a frightening boom, like loud thunder.

A second video appears to show plane on fire and crashing. A white blaze plummets downward across black sky, sometimes letting off sparks. n it disappears behind trees, and a huge fireball lights up sky as it hits earth.

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Someone off-camera says in Farsi “ plane has caught fire. Shahriar. Ferdosieh. In name of God compassionate, merciful. God please help us. Call fire department!” names are two suburbs of Tehran near airport.

Ar clip, filmed from inside a traveling car at distance, shows a pinpoint fiery light moving at speed. This foot n shows plane exploding far on horizon, illuminating darkened sky.

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As part of verification process, AP compared buildings in view with map locations and in precise context of where jet went off rar.

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Associated Press journalist Nia Ahmed in London contributed to this report.

20:44 IST, January 10th 2020