"We are deeply saddened to hear that this morning a Ukrainian Airlines passenger plane flying from Tehran to Kyiv crashed shortly after take-off from the Tehran International Airport causing tragic loss of lives of all passengers and crew on board," the statement said.

"We express our sincere condolences to the families and loved-ones of those who lost their lives, as well as to the Governments and friendly peoples of Ukraine and Iran," it added.

Ukrainian aircraft heading to Kiev early Wednesday crashed shortly after takeoff from the Imam Khomeini International Airport at the Iranian capital of Tehran, killing all passengers and crew, the head of the Iranian Red Crescent’s Relief and Rescue Organization said on state television.

ILKHA