According to a media report, along with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdullahian is also aboard a helicopter of the convoy.
The helicopter carrying the convoy of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has crashed. This claim is being made in media reports. According to reports, the helicopter carrying the convoy of the Iranian President has crashed in Azerbaijan province of Iran. The reason for the helicopter crash (hard landing) is not yet known. At present, relief and rescue work is being done at the incident site. Not much information has been received regarding the incident. According to media reports, along with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian is also aboard a helicopter of the convoy. According to Iranian media, there were three helicopters in the convoy of the Iranian President and two of these helicopters have landed safely at their destination.
There are difficulties in rescue operations due to the hilly area.
According to reports, the pilot lost control of the helicopter, leading to the accident. 16 teams have been deployed for rescue operations. However, rescue operations are facing difficulties due to fog and hilly terrain. The helicopter could not be located even several hours after the incident. There is no information about anyone’s death or injury in the accident. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (63 years) was going to East Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, this accident happened near Jolfa, the border city of Azerbaijan, which is 600 kilometers away from Iran’s capital Tehran. He was scheduled to inaugurate a dam with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev early Sunday. This is the third dam that both countries have built on the Aras River. The governor of East Azerbaijan province was also included in the President’s convoy.
Ibrahim Raisi is a hardliner who was formerly the head of the country’s judiciary. He is seen as close to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and some analysts say he could replace the 85-year-old leader if he dies or resigns.
[1/3]A helicopter carrying President Ibrahim Raisi takes off on May 19, 2024. Ali Hamed Hagdoust/IRNA/WANA via Reuters Purchase Licensing Rights
‘Had to make hard landing due to bad weather’
According to the report of Iranian TV channel, due to bad weather and fog, one of the helicopters accompanying the President had to make a hard landing. “Rescue teams are trying to reach the crash site, but due to bad weather and fog it may take time for them to reach the helicopter.”
According to the AP report, the US State Department said that it is closely monitoring the news of the hard landing of a helicopter carrying the Iranian President and Foreign Minister.
