The airliner was carrying 176 people from seven countries when it crashed shortly after takeoff from Tehran on Wednesday, killing all on board.

"Tragic news regarding Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752," Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne wrote on Twitter.

"Our hearts are with the loved ones of the victims, including many Canadians. I have been in touch with the government of Ukraine. We will continue to keep Canadians informed as the situation evolves," he said.

A pair of university lecturers and two students were among the victims, according to an Iranian news agency and documents posted to social media.

According to Ukraine's foreign minister, 82 Iranians, 10 Swedes, four Afghans, three Germans and three Britons were on the plane in addition to the Canadians. Eleven Ukrainians - including the nine crew - were also on board.

The disaster was the largest recent loss of life among Canadians since an Air India Flight blew up in 1985 over the Atlantic Ocean, killing 268 Canadians.

Canada had not confirmed the Ukrainian figures on the number of dead or any details as of early morning.

Preliminary statements by Iranian and Ukrainian authorities suggest the plane suffered an engine malfunction, though the airline did not detail any reasons for the accident.

The crash came shortly after Iran said it fired missiles at Iraqi bases in revenge for the killing of one of the Islamic republic's top military commanders in a US drone strike on Friday.

Following the missile strikes, the US Federal Aviation Administration said it was banning US-registered carriers from flying over Iraq, Iran and the Gulf after rocket attacks on US forces in Iraq.

Other international carrier said they were suspending all routes passing through Iraqi or Iranian airspace.

eNCA/AFP