The heartbreaking news from Iran confirms the loss of President Ebrahim Raisi and seven others in a tragic helicopter crash near the Azerbaijan border on Sunday. Iranian authorities have solemnly verified the unfortunate incident.
What was the reason for the president’s helicopter flight?
On a peaceful Sunday morning, Raisi traveled to the remote northwestern province of East Azerbaijan to participate in the inauguration of the Qiz Qalasi and Khoda Afarin dams. These significant dams mark the commencement of a joint hydroelectric power project shared between Iran and Azerbaijan strategically placed along the majestic Aras river.
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev joined you at the ceremony. He mentioned saying a “friendly farewell” before the helicopter departed the dam area, heading towards the city of Tabriz, about 130 km (80 miles) to the south.
Which other individuals were present on the plane?
In the Inauguration of a dam ceremony at Talar subunit, the EPA (Iran’s Environmental Protection Agency) president, Ebrahim Raisi played an active role. Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, East Azerbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati, and Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem were also present there.
According to Major General Hossein Salami commanderinchief of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) tragically seven individuals from the presidents entourage perished in the crash. This heartbreaking disclosure underscores the severity of the loss in this devastating incident.
Irans Foreign Minister Hossein AmirAbdollahian East Azerbaijan provinces governor Malek Rahmati and Tabrizs Friday prayer leader Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Ale Hashem a senior Shia cleric and the official representative of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in East Azerbaijan were notable attendees.
Commander Salami personally identified the others as IRGC Brigadier General Mohammad Mehdi Mousavi the distinguished leader of the presidents security team skilled pilots Colonel Mohsen Daryanush and Colonel Seyyed Taher Mostafavi and technician Major Behrouz Qadimi.
Location of Helicopter Crash Revealed
The event transpired at approximately 13:30 local time (10:00 GMT) within a remote mountainous expanse situated around 58km south of the QizQalasi Dam and 2km southwest of Uzi village. These details were authenticated by Iranian authorities and verified through visual documentation released via state media.
At 4 pm local time, Iran’s TV said the president’s copter made a hard landing. It failed on its way to Tabriz due to fog and rain. This happened at 12:45 GMT.
Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi subsequently acknowledged that the president’s delegation was airborne in a fleet of three helicopters. He revealed that his aircraft had to perform a challenging landing due to the inclement weather conditions and thick fog shrouding the area.
He highlighted the deployment of numerous rescue teams to the vicinity emphasizing the challenges posed by fog snow and rain as well as the rugged local terrain which were complicating the search operation.
Regarding the two helicopters that accompanied the presidents aircraft they commenced a quest lasting 15 to 20 minutes upon losing communication. Subsequently they made unplanned landings as per an official interviewed on state television whilst the operation unfolded throughout the night.
Vice President Mohsen Mansouri stressed the significance of establishing personal connections with two specific individuals aboard the president’s helicopter—an essential flight crew member and another notable passenger.
The incident wasnt all that bad since two folks in the helicopter kept in touch with our team multiple times he shared refraining from diving into further specifics.
What is a Helicopter? Everything You Need to Know
President Raisi boarded the Bell 212 chopper at the QizQalasi Dam moments before it met with a disastrous fate captured on film.
Iran manages a combined fleet of ten units across its naval and aerial forces as outlined in FlightGlobals 2024 World Air Forces directory. The precise number governed by the Iranian authorities remains shrouded in uncertainty.
The staterun IRNA news agency has revealed that the helicopter allocated for the president has the capability to accommodate up to six passengers in addition to two crew members.
The Flight Safety Foundation notes that the latest fatal event involving a Bell 212 in Iran occurred during a medical evacuation in April 2018 preceding the one on Sunday.
What was the cause of Iran helicopter crashes?
Iran helicopter crash’s, Cause Still Undisclosed by Iranian Authorities. Government officials have elucidated on the helicopter crash incident amid onerous weather conditions of heavy fog and rain.
What Investigators Found at Scene, Clues & Revelations
Around 05:00 (01:30 GMT) the rescuers sighted the wreckage approximately 2 km (1.2 miles) away. It then took nearly an hour to physically approach the site as reported by Pirhossein Kolivand the distinguished head of the Iranian Red Crescent.
Upon their arrival at the crash site situated at an altitude of around 2200m (7200ft) they were met with a grim reality – no signs of life Mr. Kolivand revealed on state TV.
State television presented indistinct footage of the crash site located on a mountainside visible from afar across a valley. The footage revealed the blueandwhite tail of a helicopter positioned near several charred shrubs.
Following the announcement of President Raisis death and the passengers aboard state TV aired footage displaying a correspondent standing before the remnants of the tail section and other wreckage components.
Irans revered state news agency Irna emotionally captured the heartwrenching footage of courageous rescuers delicately carrying a deceased individual cloaked in a warm blanket on a stretcher.
In a notable disclosure to the semiofficial Tasnim news agency Mohammad Nami the chief of Iran’s crisis management agency personally verified that each deceased individual was identifiable without the necessity for DNA testing.
He shared that Ayatollah Ale Hashem remained conscious for an hour after the crash reaching out to the head of the presidents office before his passing. 0:56
Iranian state TV Reports President Ebrahim Raisi’s Demise
How has Iran responded?
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Irans Supreme Leader deeply mourned what he termed a heartwrenching tragedy and announced a fiveday public mourning period.
His heart weighed heavy with sorrow and remorse as he learned of the tragic loss of the revered leader of the nation the skilled and diligent Hajj Sayyed Ebrahim Raisi and his distinguished group he lamented.
As per the statement from Iran’s cabinet the president has given the ultimate sacrifice on the path of serving his nation epitomizing selfless dedication and unwavering commitment.
The government officials also assured the Iranian population that they would follow in Raisi’s footsteps ensuring there would be “no issues in managing the country.”
In the wake of recent developments Hassan Rouhani the previous occupant of the role now held by Raisi tendered his heartfelt condolences noting that a poignant chapter has unfolded within the annals of the Islamic Revolution.
In a televised address Mohammad Javad Zarif passionately argued that the United States bears an indirect burden for the crash. He emphasized how years of sanctions had obstructed Irans ability to procure new aircraft.
Who is the Successor to Raisi in the Presidency?
Acting President Named as Mohammad Mokhber, Deputy to Ebrahim Raisi
Ayatollah Khamenei has officially confirmed the designation of VicePresident Mohammad Mokhber as the acting president in compliance with Article 131 of Iran’s constitution.
Envisioned by the constitution the temporary president alongside the parliamentary and judiciary heads guides the process of electing a new president within a stringent 50day timeframe.
Irans skilled negotiator and deputy foreign minister Ali Baqeri Kani now assumes the mantle of the interim foreign minister as indicated by a government spokesperson.
Rephrase Before parliament nominates and greenlights a longterm replacement he can hold the fort for a maximum of three months in the role.