London honours Western students killed in Iran plane crash
All those who spoke about the students agreed on one thing: they were brilliant with kind hearts
More than 500 people gathered at Western University's Alumni Hall to honour the lives of the four students who were killed when a Ukraine International Airlines plane crashed in Iran last week.
In between tears, professors and friends expressed their disbelief for the loss of postgraduate students Ghazal Nourian, Milad Nahavandi, Hadis Hayatdavoudi and incoming student Sajedeh Saraeian.
"I can't believe what's happened, it's like a bad dream," said Tara Armini, a friend of Nourian.
"Ever since I heard this heavy and sad news, I'm telling myself 'this can't be real,'" Armini added.
All those who spoke about the students agreed on one thing; they were brilliant students with kind hearts and bright futures ahead of them.
"I had always imagined standing in front of so many people and talking proudly of my dearest friend Hadis," Niloofar Mansouri, who had been friends with Hayatdavoudi for years, told attendees. "But I never imagined I would do that in her funeral," she said.
"Thank you for all your understanding and support during these days. You are [Hadis'] legacy to me," she said to the community.
Along with reflections on each of the four students, the memorial service included a musical tribute and remarks from University President Alan Shepard.
"At a time of such profound loss, we can take comfort in the presence and support of those around us," Shepard said at the sight of a full auditorium.
Attendees Mortaza Torabi and Ziba Foroush came to say goodbye to the students, including their friend, Milad.
"This loss is one of the biggest tragedies for our community," Torabi said.
"They all had such big hopes when they came to this country to start a new life here and it's just so sad. It's too hard for everybody," he added.
At Western where more than 500 community members have gathered to honour the lives of the Western students killed in last week’s plane crash in Iran <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LdnOnt?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LdnOnt</a> <a href="https://t.co/wOjVJp3oqx">pic.twitter.com/wOjVJp3oqx</a>
—@SofiaRodrgzMany students, such as Babak Behesti , attended in hopes of providing comfort to those most affected by the tragedy.
"I think it's important for the community to stand with each other in this kind of disaster, which was devastating — and show our unity."
That sentiment was shared by linguistics student Josephine Bywaters,
"That could've been any number of my friends coming home from the holidays, so I wanted to show support and solidarity."
