Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he joins Canadians across the country who are shocked and saddened by the news of a plane crash which claimed the lives of 176 people including 63 Canadians.

In a statement issued today the Prime Minister says Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs has been in touch with the government of Ukraine as well as relevant authorities and that Minister Marc Garneau through Transport Canada, is reaching to his international counterparts.

Friends and relatives of Canadian citizens believed to be on board can contact Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre at 613-996-8885 or 1-800-387-3124, or by sending an email to sos@international.gc.ca. Canadian citizens in Iran requiring consular assistance should contact the Canadian Embassy in Ankara at +90 (312) 409 2700 or call Global Affairs Canada’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre at +1 613-996-8885.”