Update: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian is also dead.
Update: The Iranian State News Agency (IRNA) reports that the helicopter did crash. It wasn’t simply a hard landing.
Original Story
Iranian state media reported that a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi experienced a hard landing or crashed under poor weather conditions. The incident took place in a remote area of East Azerbaijan.
Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian was also on the helicopter.
One report confirms communication with Mahdi Safari, Iran Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. “Mr. Al Hashem (passenger of the president’s helicopter) was contacted twice, and he said, I am not feeling well, and I can hear the sound of ambulances.”
Rescue teams are in the forest heading for the helicopter. Rescue attempts have been hampered by bad weather and the area’s remoteness.
⚡️BREAKING
IRGC’s Saberin Special Forces are preparing to enter the forest and find President Raisi pic.twitter.com/JmYcXYCm5I
— Iran Observer (@IranObserver0) May 19, 2024
Iran State TV urges public to pray for President Raisi‘s life.
Here is one of his last videos pic.twitter.com/VDHgNwOtaK
— Russian Market (@runews) May 19, 2024
⚡️BREAKING
Rescue teams are still searching for President Raisi, the weather is rainy, foggy and cold.
If there are injured people, their situation could deteriorate dramatically in these weather conditions. pic.twitter.com/rAtDBC76ST
— Iran Observer (@IranObserver0) May 19, 2024
The weather in the area of the accident is not helping the rescue operation pic.twitter.com/npyyde4FZX
— Iran Observer (@IranObserver0) May 19, 2024
If Raisi is not found alive, the Vice President will take his place and elections will be held within fifty days. The Ayatollah said there will be no interruption in the government’s work.
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