Posted on 12/08/2005 5:26:55 AM PST by F14 Pilot
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Thousands of mourners flooded central Tehran on Thursday for a funeral ceremony for more than 100 people killed in a plane crash that the families of victims have blamed on poor safety procedures.
Among those killed on Tuesday were 68 journalists and media technicians, making it the worst accident involving the media anywhere in the world, officials said.
"We used to see them on TV every day," said Hamid, a government employee among the crowds who packed streets in the center of the capital to join relatives and colleagues of the dead. "We will miss them very much."
Wailing and sobs filled the air as the mourners walked slowly behind pick-up trucks carrying the coffins of the dead.
Military officials have denied witness statements that the pilot complained before take-off that the C-130 transport plane, bought from the United States three decades ago and starved of spares due to U.S. sanctions, was unfit to fly.
Minutes after departure the pilot reported engine failure and the plane crashed and exploded at the foot of an apartment block a few hundreds yards from the runway of Tehran's main international airport.
At least 108 people died, including all 94 passengers and crew.
"If they were sure that the plane had some technical problems they should have canceled this trip," said Bijan, who was among those who turned out to join family members and colleagues of the dead at the funeral procession.
"Planes are not like buses. They should be totally sure there is no problem," he said.
A judge has been appointed to investigate whether officials knew before take-off that the Air Force plane, which was carrying scores of journalists to cover military exercises in the south of the country, had technical problems.
Deputy Commander of the Army Joint Chief of Staff Mohammad Hassan Nami told state television on Wednesday that a six-hour delay in the plane's departure was caused by inclement weather, not technical concerns.
He also denied reports that the first pilot had been replaced after refusing to fly.
Journalists covering the event, most of whom knew many of those killed, had tears streaming down their faces as they took notes or snapped photographs.
"They were servants of this nation. They were like family to us. It was my duty to come," said Asieh Mirzahrai, 50, a retired army employee.
Most of the dead were due to be buried at Tehran's main cemetery later on Thursday.
"68 journalists and media technicians, making it the worst accident involving the media anywhere in the world, "
Notice the solidarity and all the attention that journalists all over the world are giving this story? NOT!
Could it be that they think or know that the majority of "journalists" killed were really regime hacks?
Still, the few who weren't working for the regime deserve some attention from their peers in the media. ((crickets))
The Iranian government does not care about its military with ill equiped and poor performance, even it was to cause deaths, as long as it doesn't threat the government.
Has anyone seen a picture of the C-130 Military Plane !!
There was 39 Iranian PRESS people on board.
I DON'T BELIEVE THE IRANIANS !!
It is very strange how the colleagues of these journalists almost ignore this story. But it's no different from the treatment they have given to Iranian journalists all along when they are rounded up, arrested and jailed.
So much for loyalty, compassion and commeraderie
Blah, blah, blah.
The MF's are dumb enough to continue to fly them? Ha-ha. Yeah, these jackasses need nuke weapons. /sarc
Yeah it's all our fault. Never mind that the Iranians can get parts and mechanics through their friends in Paris and Moscow.
I wonder if we could get the journalists of the MSM together in one old plane. Might do wonders for the state of journalism in America, too. And where there are journalists, there are photo-op democrats like Kerry, Dean, and Pelosi. Even the media whore (Cindy Sheehan) might join the party.
I've spoken with people who said there were pics on tv showing parts of the plane.
****"They were servants of this nation. ******
Should read 68 Professional propaganda experts. They were far from being journalists. But then, that could be said for most American "journalists" too.
Why didn't they buy new gear from their Rooskie buddies ? They certainly could afford it.
Exactly. Why they would insist on flying an A/C manufactured by the great satan is beyond me. Let them fly some Frog or Rooskie A/C.
"Yeah it's all our fault."
No one said it was our fault. The sanctions don't allow US companies to do business with Iran as long as the Islamic revolutionary government is in power. They were put in place due to the criminal actions of that government in kidnapping and holding innocent Americans hostage at the US embassy during the revolution and for over a year afterward.
If anything, this is the result of the Iranians own criminal actions and completely their own fault. Don't ever suggest it is our fault.
Agreed. I gave up on the big regional papers a long time ago (and today whenever a "come-on" copy ends up in the newspaper slot, it goes straight into the trash to become landfill -- unopened, unread).
Even the local paper is getting close to the edge now. But when I cancel it forever, it will be the primary advertisers who are informed of the reason.
Apparently you didn't read the story:
"bought from the United States three decades ago and starved of spares due to U.S. sanctions, was unfit to fly."
The sanctions don't allow US companies to do business with Iran as long as the Islamic revolutionary government is in power.
As I previously wrote, the Iranians can easily procure parts and maintenance for their C-130s through third parties. How do you think they've kept their F-4s, F-5s, CH-53s, 707s, etc. flying all these years?
It doesn't matter if it was "starved for parts by US sanctions" even if they could get parts elsewhere. It still isn't our fault. It isn't our problem if they can or can't get parts. It's their fault for kidnapping innocent people and causing us to implement sanctions in the first place. Screw em.
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