Iranian president involved in ‘helicopter crash’ as rescue mission launched
A helicopter carrying Iran’s president and his foreign minister has been involved in a crash as it was crossing mountain terrain in heavy fog, an Iranian official has said.
President Ebrahim Raisi is reportedly missing after the aircraft made a “hard landing” while travelling across Iran’s East Azerbaijan province.
The official said the lives of Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian were “at risk following the helicopter crash”.
Rescue teams are believed to be heading to the scene near the city of Jolfa, about 375 miles northwest of the capital Tehran.
“We are still hopeful but information coming from the crash site is very concerning,” the official added.
Iran’s Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said the helicopter carrying the president made a hard landing due to the foggy weather.
Raisi had been in Azerbaijan for the inauguration of a dam with the country’s president, Ilham Aliyev.
Vahidi said: “After inaugurating the dam, the president was returning when the helicopter carrying him had a hard landing due to the foggy weather in the area.
“Several rescue teams are on their way to the incident area, but due to the foggy and bad weather conditions, it will take time to reach the helicopter.”
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“Sixteen rescue teams have been dispatched to the area, but due to the region’s impassibility and unfavourable weather conditions, particularly heavy fog, the search and rescue operation will take time,” IRNA reported.
Chief of the Iranian Red Crescent, Babak Mahmoudi said drones have been sent to help locate the helicopter.
He added: “Red Crescent drones and rescue teams have been deployed to the location.
“We are also investigating the matter and will be there ourselves.”
Search efforts have been hindered with thick fog – and now heavy rain.
Raisi is a hardliner and former head of the judiciary who has been president of Iran since August 2021.
The 63-year-old was elected president at the second attempt, and since taking office has ordered a tightening of morality laws, overseen a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests and pushed hard in nuclear talks with world powers.
During his term, the 63-year-old faced major protests over Mahsa Amini – a woman who died after she was arrested for allegedly not wearing her hijab properly.