Dozens of people gathered in Richmond Hill on Tuesday to remember the 176 people who died when two Iranian missiles shot down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 from Tehran five years ago.
A candlelight vigil organized by the Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims was held at Unity Park, near Yonge Street and Major Mackenzie Drive. It was held after relatives visited the three graves earlier in the day.
At the vigil, 176 images were held aloft inside the park's structure on strings attached to lights.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps shot down a Ukrainian airliner on January 8, 2020. Among those killed were 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents.
Hamed Ismailian, who lost his wife and daughter that day, said he was sure he would never hold Iran responsible.
“We hope one day in a free Iran that we have an independent court,” he said.
Arghawan Owaisi, who lost a brother, sister-in-law and niece, said the family still has questions. She said that no more memories can be made with her loved ones.
“They immigrated here in search of a normal life, a happy life,” she said.
The association has planned to organize a program on Wednesday to mark the fifth anniversary of the flight disruption. The event is expected to include speeches, presentations and demonstrations.
