San Diego Student Among Those Killed In Iran Plane Crash

SAN DIEGO — A San Diego student was among those killed in the deadly Ukrainian plane crash in Iran.

Sara Saadat, 23, was a first-year doctoral student in clinical psychology at San Diego's Alliant International University campus in Scripps Ranch. She died along with her mother and 21-year-old sister when the Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-800 crashed Wednesday, just minutes after taking off from Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport. All 176 people on board were killed.

Also see: Ukrainian Airplane Crashes Near Iran's Capital, Killing 176

Saadat and her family members, residents of Edmonton, Alberta, were among the dozens of Canadian passengers on the Kyiv-bound aircraft, according to news reports. The Associated Press reported there were 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians, 11 Ukrainians, 10 Swedish, four Afghans, three Germans and three British nationals on board. The Ukrainian nationals included two passengers and the nine crew members.

Also see: 'Highly Likely' Iran Downed Ukrainian Jetliner: US Officials

Saadat, along with her mother and sister, had been visiting family in Iran. She was on her way back to San Diego to begin the spring 2020 term at Alliant International University, university officials said.

In response to Saadat's death, the administration of the private, for-profit university offered "deepest sympathies" to her family and friends and emotional support to her fellow students.

"We know that the entire Alliant community is affected when tragedy strikes any one of us, and we are here to provide support during these trying times," a message from the university stated. "We will have on-site critical support counselors available for students in San Diego when spring classes resume next week and will be reaching out soon regarding additional support for the broader Alliant community."

U.S. and Canadian authorities believe the jetliner was shot down by an Iranian missile amid heightened hostilities between the United States and the Middle Eastern nation. They suggested it could have been a mistake.

City News Service and Kristina Houck/Patch contributed to this report.