Iran plane crash: Ukraine Airlines jet with 176 people on board crashes after takeoff

A Ukrainian International Airlines plane carrying nearly 180 people crashed shortly after take off from an airport in Iran - killing everyone on board.

The Boeing 737 passenger liner came down just minutes after take off from Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran.

Three Brits are among those confirmed dead on board - along with 82 citizens of Iran, 63 from Canada, 11 from Ukraine, 10 from Sweden, 4 from Afghanistan and 3 from Germany.

Iranian state television said the crash was because of 'mechanical issues' while the Ukrainian Embassy said 'engine failure', although the airline later claimed there was "not a single issue with its technical state". The flight did not declare an emergency before the crash, which happened 12 minutes after take-off on Wednesday morning.

It was moving at a ground speed of 316 mph but disappeared from radar six minutes after takeoff.

Distressing footage released by ISNA news agency in Iran appeared to show the plane bursting into flames before it hit the ground.

Rescue teams were dispatched to the site but state television has said that all people on board the flight were killed.