Raisi Rescue operation underway after helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi crashes
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi crashed in north-western province of East Azarbaijan with 40 search teams trying to locate it on Sunday (May 19, 2024). Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian was also on board the helicopter that suffered a “hard landing”, the state media of Iran said.
President Raisi was returning from a ceremony to open a dam on Iran’s border with Azerbaijan when his helicopter crashed upon landing in Varzaqan region, reported IRNA news agency.
Rescue officials said inclement weather is hindering the rescue operation.
He said drones have been sent to the area to help locate the crash site.
Al Jazeera quoted an unnamed Iranian official source saying that specialised teams are attempting to quickly reach the site of the accident after receiving a signal from the helicopter. “We cannot confirm any information related to the president and those who were with him, and the searches are continuing vigorously,” the official told the news channel.
Earlier in the day, Ebrahim Raisi inaugurated the Qiz Qalasi and Khodaafarin dams with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
Offering assistance, Ilham Aliyev posted on X: "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."
Bu gün İran İslam Respublikasının Prezidenti İbrahim Rəisi ilə dostcasına xudahafizləşdikdən sonra ali nümayəndə heyətini daşıyan helikopterin İranda qəza enişi etməsi barədə xəbər bizi ciddi şəkildə narahat etdi. Uca Allahdan dualarımız Prezident İbrahim Rəisi və onu müşayiət…
— İlham Əliyev (@azpresident) May 19, 2024
In 2021, Raisi was elected as the president on the second attempt.
He is regarded as a potential successor to country's supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
Narendra Modi expresses concern
"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,"he posted on X.
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 19, 2024
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