The helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raeisi went missing in a dense forest area in East Azarbaijan on Sunday, while bad weather conditions is hampering search and rescue efforts.
Media reports say an incident took place for one of the 3 helicopters carrying the Iranian President’ and his accompanying convoy on the visit to East Azarbaijan Province in northwest Iran on Sunday.
Mehr reporter’s follow-up on the news indicate that a few minutes ago, the helicopter carrying the president and foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian crashed in the foggy weather in the northern region of East Azarbaijan.
The president and his convoy were traveling the distance between Khodaafarin and Tabriz but their helicopter crashed in bad climatic conditions in the Dizmar forest and mountainous district between Uzi and Pir Dawood villages.
The bad weather conditions including heavy fog and rain are to blame for the helicopter crash.
There have been not confirmed reports on fate of the occupants on the helicopter in the incident yet.
The search and rescue team are approaching the site of the helicopter crashe, according to the latest reports.
Some local media at first reported that the chopper had made a hard landing due to the bad weather conditions.
President Raeisi’s helicopter reportedly found by rescue team:
According to Al Alam TV telegram channel , “Minutes ago, the the search and rescue teams sent to the site of the crash could find the copter of the president and his entourage after hours of searching.”
However, Iran Red Crescent has rejected the news on finding the copter as false.
Turkish president says ready to provide assistance to Iran:
Turkey closely monitoring regarding helicopter crash, coordinating with Iranian authorities and is ready to provide assistance as needed, Turkish President Recep Teyyep Erdogan said.
Vice President says two people accompanying president made contacts:
Executive Vice President Mansouri told National TV that half an hour after the departure of the President’s helicopter, the communication with the other two helicopters was cut off.
“After this incident, two helicopters searched the area” he also said.
“Another promising point is that the site of the incident has been identified by the Ministry of Communications within a radius of two kilometers,” Mansouri added.
India PM wishes well being for President Raeisi and his entourage:
“Deeply concerned by reports regarding President Raisi’s helicopter flight today. We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people in this hour of distress, and pray for well being of the President and his entourage,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India wrote on X.
Leader prays for President Raeisi, other officials:
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei expressed concern over fate of President Ebrahim Raeisi, praying to God that the president and other senior officials would return to the nation safely.
Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution made the remarks in a meeting with the families of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Sunday, which was held on the occasion of the birthday of Imam Reza (a.s.).
Commenting on the news of the crash of the helicopter carrying the Iranian President and other senior officials in northeast of the country, the Leader described the news as a disturbing incident this evening for the honorable president and his companions.
“We pray to God Almighty that the revered president and his companions returned to the arms of the nation. Everyone should pray for the health and safety of this group of servants.”
Ayatollah Khamenei further assured the people that, “do not worry, there will be no disruption in the affairs of the country.”
Pakistani PM prays for Pres. Raeisi, other high-ranking Iranian officials accompanying him:
Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has sent out a message, whishing health and safety for the Iranian president and his accompanying officials in the helicopter incident.
“Heard the distressing news from Iran regarding Hon. President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi’s helicopter. Waiting with great anxiety for good news that all is well. Our prayers and best wishes are with Hon.President Raisi and the entire Iranian nation,” wrote Shehbaz Sharif in a post on his X account.
Iraqi PM offers help to Iran amid helicopter crash:
The Iraqi government announced that Baghdad has offered to help Iran search for the missing helicopter carrying Iranian president and other high-ranking officials. Prime Minister of Iraq Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani said in a statement that “We are ready to help find the president’s helicopter.”
Azeri president offers assistance to Iran:
Azerbaijan is ready to provide assistance regarding helicopter incident involving the President of Iran, the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in post on social media.
“Today, after bidding a friendly farewell to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, we were profoundly troubled by the news of a helicopter carrying the top delegation crash-landing in Iran. Our prayers to Allah Almighty are with President Ebrahim Raisi and the accompanying delegation. As a neighbor, friend, and brotherly country, the Republic of Azerbaijan stands ready to offer any assistance needed,” Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on X.
The Friday Prayers Imam of Tabriz, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and some other ministers and high-ranking officials were accompanying the president Raeisi.
The rescue and search team are reported to have faced difficulties in reaching the site of the hard landing of the copter.
The interior minister Ahmad Vahidi has confirmed to the national TV that one of the copters of the president’s convoy had made a hard landing.
“Various rescue groups are moving towards the site, but due to the fog and bad weather, it may take time to reach the area. The work is under control,” Vahidi said.
“There have been contacts with [the president’s] companions, but given that the area is mountainous and it is difficult to establish contacts, we hope that the rescue teams will reach the site of the incident sooner and give us more information,” the interior minister added.
Local Iranian media have reported that it was heavily raining in the area in Varzaghan District and it is hard for the rescue and search teams to walk in the dense fog.
