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Iran plane crash: Dartford worker honoured at memorial service for victims

The victims of the Iran plane crash have been honoured with a memorial service in London.

One of the Britons involved in the tragic accident was Saeed Tahmasebi, from Brentwood, Essex who worked in Dartford.

Saeed Tahmasebi was on board the Ukraine International Airlines flight when it crashed near Tehran
Saeed Tahmasebi was on board the Ukraine International Airlines flight when it crashed near Tehran

Mr Tahmasebi was aboard the Ukranian International Airlines flight when it was 'unintentionally' shot down near Tehran.

All 176 passengers on the Boeing 737-800 aircraft were killed after it plunged into a field outside the Iranian capital. Saeed's name was one of three identified as travelling on a British passport.

Identities of passengers appeared on an unofficial list posted on Facebook by a Ukrainian blogger and later confirmed by The Telegraph via contact with neighbours, friends and relatives.

Iran has since admitted it shot the plane down "in error" amid rising tensions with the US, prompting protests across the county.

His brother-in-law, Amir Vaheat, 42, told The Times Saeed was on board with his wife, adding the newlywed couple had travelled to Iran to have a ceremony there.

He said: “We spoke to him when he was boarding so we knew he was on the flight, then at about 5.30am this morning UK time we heard the plane had crashed.

“My wife is going crazy, we cannot believe it. Saeed was such a nice man. All his friends are coming round trying to help, but it is too much for words.”

Saeed is understood to have been studying at Imperial College before travelling to Iran in early December.

The PHD student moved to the UK in 2005 to undertake study programmes in civil and structural engineering at the Universities of Greenwich and Surrey following the completion of a bachelors in Tehran.

His Imperial College profile lists his achievements in a broad range of projects including high rise hotels and residential rails, airports and Ministry of Defence installations, both in the UK and abroad.

In 2017 Saeed landed a job as an engineer at construction firm Laing O'Rourke in Crossways Boulevard, Dartford, having worked in the trade for more than 12 years.

The company said the employee was a "popular and well respected engineer" who would be missed by many of his colleagues.

A spokesman for Laing O'Rourke said: “Everyone here is shocked and saddened by this very tragic news.

"Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this most difficult time and we will do all we can to support them through it.”

The university where Saeed studied alongside his work commitments also expressed deep sadness at the death of a man described as "warm, humble and generous".

A spokesman for Imperial College London said: "Saeed Tahmasebi Khademasadi was a brilliant engineer with a bright future.

"His contributions to systems engineering earned respect from everyone who dealt with him and will benefit society for years to come.

"Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with Saeed’s family, friends and colleagues, as well as all those affected by this tragedy.”

A spokesman from Greenwich University added: "We are deeply saddened to hear about the news of Saeed Tahmasebi following the Iran plane crash. Mr Tahmasebi studied civil engineering at the university between 2005 and 2007 at the Medway campus."

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