A major security alert was triggered at Germany's Leipzig/Halle Airport after authorities discovered an explosive-laden drone near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft. Flights were diverted for several hours as bomb disposal teams deployed a robot to safely remove the detonator from the unmanned aerial vehicle.

The airport plays a crucial role in transporting military supplies for the German Armed Forces and NATO allies and also serves as a key base for Ukraine's Antonov Airlines. German officials described the incident as extremely serious and launched a full-scale investigation into the drone's origin and those responsible.

Germany's Interior Minister urged caution against speculation, saying investigators are examining every possible angle, including the possibility of foreign involvement. Officials also warned that the incident reflects the growing hybrid security threats facing Europe.

Explosive Drone Found Near Ukrainian Cargo Plane at German Airport | Flights Suspended

Public anger has been mounting in Iran over the downing of Ukrainian aircraft. The top leadership of the Iranian govt already apologised but the Iranian public is not convinced. Today it was the third day of protest over the issue. Iran mistakenly shot down 176 people in this incident.

Iran: Anti govt protest enters third day, over downing of a Ukrainian plane

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran on Sunday amid Iran's high regional tensions, claiming that it had shot down a Ukrainian aircraft with which 176 passengers were killed. #UkranianAircraft #Iran #Tehran #HassanRouhani

Tehran: Qatar’s Emir Sheikh, Iranian President meet amid regional tensions

<p>Canadian Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-under-pressure-at-home-over-plane-crash-warns-iran-world-is-watching-273502">Justin Trudeau</a> is set on Sunday to attend what is expected to be the country's largest memorial to the victims of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-pm-justin-trudeau-wants-full-investigation-into-plane-crash-273614">Ukrainian airliner</a> shot down in Iran in a disaster that killed 57 Canadians, mainly of Iranian descent.</p>

<p>Trudeau's office confirmed on Saturday that the prime minister will address the memorial service, due to be held in a basketball arena that seats 1,700 people in the western city of Edmonton. Thirteen of the victims lived in Edmonton.</p>

<p>Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne will also attend.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-uk-envoy-macaire-arrested-but-freed-soon-after-identified-273805">Iran</a> acknowledged on Saturday that its military shot down the plane on Wednesday, killing all 176 aboard, in what the country's president called a "disastrous mistake," with air defenses firing in error while on alert after Iranian missile strikes on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-warns-iran-against-massacre-as-protests-erupt-over-downing-of-ukrainian-airplane-273670">US</a>&nbsp;targets in Iraq.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-airplane-brought-down-due-to-human-error-iran-273506">Great tragedy and unforgivable mistake: Iranian president on military 'unintentionally' shooting down Ukrainian airplane</a></strong></p>

<p>"Canada and the world still have many questions, questions that must be answered," Trudeau said in a news conference in Ottawa on Saturday.</p>

<p>"It is absolutely necessary that Canada participate in this investigation. We expect the full cooperation of Iranian authorities," Trudeau added.</p>

<p>The memorial in Edmonton follows several days of grief in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ottawa-lowers-canadian-death-toll-in-iran-air-crash-to-57-273604">Canada</a>, including candlelight vigils in many cities.</p>

<p>Memorials are also planned on Sunday in Toronto.</p>

<p>"The community is unbelievable. The people feel whole Canada is hugging them," said Reza Akbari, president of the Iranian Heritage Society of Edmonton.</p>

<p>Mourners placed flowers and scattered rose petals this week outside the office of University of Alberta engineering professor Pedram Mousavi, who died in the crash with his wife, engineering professor Mojgan Daneshmand, and their two daughters.</p>

<p>"They were both so kind and caring," wrote Dennis Ramsawak, who took classes with both professors, in an online memorial. "I'm so heartbroken. It's a great loss for the community."</p>

<p>Edmonton's Iranian community is collecting funds to pay funeral and other expenses for the victims' families.</p>

<p>Some Edmonton relatives have already traveled to Iran to bury relatives, Akbari said, adding that transporting remains to Canada for burial would be complex and costly.</p>


Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set on Sunday to attend what is expected to be the country's largest memorial to the victims of a Ukrainian airliner shot down in Iran in a disaster that killed 57 Canadians, mainly of Iranian descent.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set on Sunday to attend what is expected to be the country's largest memorial to the victims of a Ukrainian airliner shot down in Iran in a disaster that killed 57 Canadians, mainly of Iranian descent. Trudeau's office confirmed on Saturday that the prime minister will address the memorial service, due to be held in a basketball arena that seats 1,700 people in the western city of Edmonton. Thirteen of the victims lived in Edmonton. Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne will also attend. Iran acknowledged on Saturday that its military shot down the plane on Wednesday, killing all 176 aboard, in what the country's president called a "disastrous mistake," with air defenses firing in error while on alert after Iranian missile strikes on US targets in Iraq. Also read: Great tragedy and unforgivable mistake: Iranian president on military 'unintentionally' shooting down Ukrainian airplane "Canada and the world still have many questions, questions that must be answered," Trudeau said in a news conference in Ottawa on Saturday. "It is absolutely necessary that Canada participate in this investigation. We expect the full cooperation of Iranian authorities," Trudeau added. The memorial in Edmonton follows several days of grief in Canada, including candlelight vigils in many cities. Memorials are also planned on Sunday in Toronto. "The community is unbelievable. The people feel whole Canada is hugging them," said Reza Akbari, president of the Iranian Heritage Society of Edmonton. Mourners placed flowers and scattered rose petals this week outside the office of University of Alberta engineering professor Pedram Mousavi, who died in the crash with his wife, engineering professor Mojgan Daneshmand, and their two daughters. "They were both so kind and caring," wrote Dennis Ramsawak, who took classes with both professors, in an online memorial. "I'm so heartbroken. It's a great loss for the community." Edmonton's Iranian community is collecting funds to pay funeral and other expenses for the victims' families. Some Edmonton relatives have already traveled to Iran to bury relatives, Akbari said, adding that transporting remains to Canada for burial would be complex and costly.

Canada's Trudeau to attend Iran crash victim memorial in hard-hit Edmonton

<p>Iranian state television on Saturday said that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-has-given-important-data-on-iran-plane-crash-ukraine-foreign-minister-273408">Ukrainian International Airlines airplane</a> was brought down by Iranian military due to "human error", news agency Reuters reported.</p>

<p>As per reports, the Ukrainian plane had flown close to a sensitive military site.</p>

<p>The military statement reported by the state TV added that "responsible parties would be held accountable".</p>

<p>The Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) Boeing went down outside Tehran shortly after take-off on Wednesday. The crash killed all 176 people who were on board including many Iranians and Canadians.</p>

<p>Iran's foreign minister Javad Zarif took to Twitter today and confirmed the same.</p>

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<p>Zarif said that after an internal investigation, preliminary conclusions suggest that the Ukrainian airplane was shot down by military due to human error.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-retaliation-to-missile-attacks-us-imposes-more-sanctions-on-iran-273480">In retaliation to missile attacks, US imposes more sanctions on Iran</a></strong></p>

<p>"A sad day. Preliminary conclusions of an internal investigation by Armed Forces: Human error at the time of crisis caused by US adventurism led to disaster. Our profound regrets, apologies and condolences to our people, to the families of all victims, and to other affected nations," Zarif tweeted out.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A sad day. Preliminary conclusions of internal investigation by Armed Forces:<br />
<br />
Human error at time of crisis caused by US adventurism led to disaster<br />
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Our profound regrets, apologies and condolences to our people, to the families of all victims, and to other affected nations.<br />
💔</p>
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) <a href="https://twitter.com/JZarif/status/1215847283381755914?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also tweeted out and confirmed Iran shooting down the Ukrainian passenger plane. Rouhani added that investigations to identify and prosecute those involved in "great tragedy and unforgivable mistake" is under process.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Armed Forces’ internal investigation has concluded that regrettably missiles fired due to human error caused the horrific crash of the Ukrainian plane &amp; death of 176 innocent people. Investigations continue to identify &amp; prosecute this great tragedy &amp; unforgivable mistake. #PS752," Rouhani's tweet read.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Armed Forces’ internal investigation has concluded that regrettably missiles fired due to human error caused the horrific crash of the Ukrainian plane &amp; death of 176 innocent people.<br />
Investigations continue to identify &amp; prosecute this great tragedy &amp; unforgivable mistake. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PS752?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PS752</a></p>
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) <a href="https://twitter.com/HassanRouhani/status/1215856039997984768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier, Britain and Canada also claimed that intelligence sources suggested a catastrophic error by Iranian air defence batteries had crashed the aircraft.</p>

<p>Iran had earlier denied the possibility of a missile strike behind the crash of the Ukrainian airplane.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read: '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-gets-access-to-crashed-planes-black-boxes-foreign-minister-273477">Ukraine gets access to crashed plane's black boxes,' foreign minister</a></strong></p>

<p>Ukrainian and Canadian authorities had called for a thorough investigation into the mishap.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Over 80 Iranians and more than 60 Canadians were killed in the plane crash. The Boeing 737 was taking off from Tehran for Kiev when it crashed killing all those on board.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The crash came shortly after Tehran launched missiles at bases in Iraq housing American troops to avenge the US killing of a top Iranian general last week.</p>

<p>(<em>With inputs from Reuters)</em></p>


Iranian state television on Saturday said that the Ukrainian International Airlines airplane was brought down by Iranian military due to "human error", news agency Reuters reported.

Iranian state television on Saturday said that the Ukrainian International Airlines airplane was brought down by Iranian military due to "human error", news agency Reuters reported. As per reports, the Ukrainian plane had flown close to a sensitive military site. The military statement reported by the state TV added that "responsible parties would be held accountable". The Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) Boeing went down outside Tehran shortly after take-off on Wednesday. The crash killed all 176 people who were on board including many Iranians and Canadians. Iran's foreign minister Javad Zarif took to Twitter today and confirmed the same. × Zarif said that after an internal investigation, preliminary conclusions suggest that the Ukrainian airplane was shot down by military due to human error. Also read: In retaliation to missile attacks, US imposes more sanctions on Iran "A sad day. Preliminary conclusions of an internal investigation by Armed Forces: Human error at the time of crisis caused by US adventurism led to disaster. Our profound regrets, apologies and condolences to our people, to the families of all victims, and to other affected nations," Zarif tweeted out. A sad day. Preliminary conclusions of internal investigation by Armed Forces: Human error at time of crisis caused by US adventurism led to disaster Our profound regrets, apologies and condolences to our people, to the families of all victims, and to other affected nations. 💔 — Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 11, 2020 × Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also tweeted out and confirmed Iran shooting down the Ukrainian passenger plane. Rouhani added that investigations to identify and prosecute those involved in "great tragedy and unforgivable mistake" is under process. "Armed Forces’ internal investigation has concluded that regrettably missiles fired due to human error caused the horrific crash of the Ukrainian plane & death of 176 innocent people. Investigations continue to identify & prosecute this great tragedy & unforgivable mistake. #PS752," Rouhani's tweet read. Armed Forces’ internal investigation has concluded that regrettably missiles fired due to human error caused the horrific crash of the Ukrainian plane & death of 176 innocent people. Investigations continue to identify & prosecute this great tragedy & unforgivable mistake. #PS752 — Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) January 11, 2020 × Earlier, Britain and Canada also claimed that intelligence sources suggested a catastrophic error by Iranian air defence batteries had crashed the aircraft. Iran had earlier denied the possibility of a missile strike behind the crash of the Ukrainian airplane. Also read: 'Ukraine gets access to crashed plane's black boxes,' foreign minister Ukrainian and Canadian authorities had called for a thorough investigation into the mishap. Over 80 Iranians and more than 60 Canadians were killed in the plane crash. The Boeing 737 was taking off from Tehran for Kiev when it crashed killing all those on board. The crash came shortly after Tehran launched missiles at bases in Iraq housing American troops to avenge the US killing of a top Iranian general last week. (With inputs from Reuters)

Great tragedy and unforgivable mistake: Iranian president on military 'unintentionally' shooting down Ukrainian airplane