Advertisement

Kingston, Ont. members of the PSAC hold vigil for colleagues lost aboard Flight 752

Click to play video: 'Kingston members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada hold vigil for colleagues lost in downed aircraft'
Kingston members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada hold vigil for colleagues lost in downed aircraft
WATCH: A vigil was held Tuesday night in Kingston for the victims of the Iran plane crash. – Jan 14, 2020

A vigil was held Tuesday night in Kingston, Ont. for the victims of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752.

Kingston Public Service Alliance of Canada members hold vigil for colleagues lost in downed aircraft. Global News

Iran has admitted to mistakenly downing the jet, killing all on board.

Five of the victims were members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).

Story continues below advertisement
Global News. Global News

“It is quite a shock when you hear that the incident, all together with the plane being shot out of the air, was a shock,” says Chris Snooks, president of PSAC Kingston and area council, “and then to hear a bunch of our members that were on there.”

A small group of PSAC members gathered to remember the five members of the union lost.

Global News. Global News

Four teaching assistants from Western University and a doctor from PSAC Local 555 in Vancouver were remembered.

Story continues below advertisement

Included in the vigil was Queen’s University student Amir Moradi.

Queen’s student Amir Moradi. Global News

Each victim’s name was read aloud:  Ghazal Nourian, Milad Nahavandi, Sajedeh Saraeian, Hadis Hayatdavoudi, Dr. Razgar Rahimi and Queen’s student Amir Moradi.

Ghazal Nourian, Milad Nahavandi, Sajedeh Saraeian and Hadis Hayatdavoudi. Global News

“They are part of our union family,” says Snooks, “so we support each other.

Story continues below advertisement

“It’s a great loss when we lose a member, especially to a tragedy like this.”

Global News. Global News

All 176 people on board, including 57 Canadians and more than 80 Iranians, died after the Boeing 737-800 was struck by a missile, shortly after leaving Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport.

Breaking news from Canada and around the world sent to your email, as it happens.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada represents 180,000 members nationally and over 30,000 members in Ontario.

“I think we should keep their memory of them alive, and show the families support,” says Snooks, “and help as much in the community as possible.”

Sponsored content

AdChoices