What We Know About Iran’s President’s Helicopter Crash

The fate of Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash in East Azerbaijan province (northwest of Iran) on Sunday, remains uncertain. Here’s what we know about the crash at this point.

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“A helicopter carrying the president crashed in the heart of the sparsely populated mountainous region of Jolba,” state television reported.

Interior Minister Ahmed Vahidi spoke on state television saying the plane had a “hard landing,” without giving further details.

The aircraft was part of a convoy of three helicopters carrying the President’s delegation.

Two of them landed safely in Tabriz, a large city in the northwest, but Mr. Raïssi, 63, is not where he used to be.

The crash site is believed to be in the Dismar forest near Varsagan town.

AFP

A short time ago, the Iranian president inaugurated a dam in East Azerbaijan province, accompanied by his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ilham Aliyev, on the border between the two countries.

In addition to the president, those on the plane included Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdullahian, a provincial governor and the region’s leading imam, the official IRNA news agency indicated.

AFP

Intensive searches were underway late Sunday in northwest Iran. “More than 20 rescue teams with full equipment, including drones and rescue dogs” were “sent to the site,” the IRNA agency reported.

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But the search has been made more difficult by “unfavorable weather conditions,” the home minister pointed out.

“It may take time to reach the region,” he said. State television broadcast images of several members of the Iranian Red Cross walking through thick fog.

According to a government spokesman, Vice President Mohammad Mogbar arrived in Tabriz with several ministers from Tehran in the afternoon. With the presidential election to be held within 50 days, Mr. In the event of Roysi’s death, he will assume the duties of president.

Developments in the situation are being closely monitored internationally.