Iranian forensic experts have confirmed two Canadians were among 56 people killed in a plane crash in Kyrgyzstan. It was the Central Asian country's worst aviation disaster in nearly two decades.
The Iranians are helping the Kyrgyzstan government identify the victims using advanced DNA technology, Kyrgyz Health Minister Elena Bayalinova said in a statement Tuesday.
Only about nine victims had been identified by late Tuesday.
Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs has not released the names of the two Canadians, citing the Privacy Act.
"A consular official has travelled to Bishkek to liaise with Kyrgyz authorities and will continue to be in contact with local authorities until the remains of the Canadians have been identified and repatriation/funeral arrangements are completed according to the wishes of the next of kin," spokesperson Alain Cacchione told The Associated Press in an email.
The plane was carrying 83 passengers, six crew members and an aviation official when it smashed into the ground near the Kyrgyz capital. The Boeing 737 had just left Manas International Airport and was heading to Tehran, Iran.
Twenty-five people survived.
Officials have blamed the crash on technical problems. Kyrgyzstan, a former part of the Soviet Union, operates aging passenger planes that are prohibited from flying in Europe.
The crash was Kyrgyzstan's worst aviation disaster in nearly 20 years, and the government declared Tuesday a national day of mourning.
With files from The Associated Press and The Canadian Press
