CANDLES, photos and floral tributes were laid in poignant tribute to victims of a plane tragedy.

All 176 passengers died when a plane was shot down near Tehran, Iran, on January 8.

After initially blaming a technical failure, authorities finally admitted to accidentally shooting it down.

The Oxford University Iranian Society held a vigil for the victims, at the Tirah Memorial in Oxford's Bonn Square.

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In a statement, the society said: "Like most of us, many of them were young students in their 20s and 30s, full of life and bright futures ahead of them.

"So many families, friends, students, roommates and faculty members are among the victims of this horrific event.

"We can’t even begin to imagine what these people are going through right now."

The speech, read out at the vigil on Sunday, added: "Looking around at the people gathered here today, we are reminded of what is good - that there is love, compassion, decency and above all, that there is a unity in our small community in Oxford.

"We support each other in moments of despair and deep deep sadness."

The memorial was covered in tributes, including photos of some of those who died.