A student of Memorial University says he lost his best friend in the plane crash that claimed the lives of 176 people in Iran earlier this week.

On Tuesday a Ukraine International Airline flight was shot out of the sky just after takeoff, killing everyone on board, including 57 Canadians.

Iran has since claimed responsibility for the incident, saying it was a mistake amidst heightened tensions with the United States.

Earlier this week, students from MUN held a candlelight vigil for those who lost their lives in the crash.

Siamak Khoshrou is a PHD student at MUN whose best friend was on the plane.

Khoshrou says his friend was full of energy and passionately spoke about how great their future was going to be because they were always trying their best.