Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the country’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian have tragically died in a helicopter crash. The incident occurred on Sunday as their helicopter was crossing mountainous terrain in heavy fog, Reuters reported, citing an official. The crash site was located earlier today across a steep valley near an Iranian village, where “no sign of life” was seen, according to Iranian state television.
Global Condolences and Reactions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined world leaders in offering condolences to Raisi’s family and the people of Iran. “Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His contribution to strengthening India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow,” he posted on ‘X’.
Ten Updates on Ebrahim Raisi’s Helicopter Crash:
- Crash Location and Initial Details: The helicopter crashed on Sunday in the mountainous northwest of Iran near Tavil village. Earlier footage released by the state media showed Raisi taking off in a helicopter resembling a Bell model with a blue-and-white paint scheme. The head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, Pir Hossein Kolivand, stated the helicopter was spotted about two kilometers after sunrise on Monday.
- Rescue Efforts Hindered by Weather: A frantic search and rescue operation was launched to locate the missing persons. However, efforts were complicated by dense fog in the region. State media reported that the mud and the area’s remote nature made it more difficult to reach the site.
- State Media Footage: Footage released by state media depicted the crash site and rescue teams struggling to reach it amid dense fog. Several ambulances were also seen stationed amid adverse weather conditions.
- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s Response: Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, urged people to pray for Raisi’s health. He added that there “won’t be any disruption to the country’s affairs” as a result of the incident. Raisi was seen as a potential successor to Khamenei.
- Context of the Incident: The incident comes against the backdrop of the conflict in Gaza between Israel, backed by the United States, and Hamas, a militant organization backed by Iran. This conflict has resulted in significant destruction in Gaza and a global rift between nations.
- US Monitoring Situation: According to NBC, the US is closely monitoring the situation. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that intelligence agencies found no evidence of foul play.
- International Aid for Rescue Efforts: Iran requested a search and rescue helicopter with night vision capabilities from Turkey. Turkey’s state disaster management agency, AFAD, dispatched 32 rescue personnel and six vehicles to Iran. Additionally, the European Union activated its rapid response mapping service following a request for help from Iran.
- Iran’s Requests to the EU: The European Union also activated its rapid response mapping service to assist in the search and rescue efforts, demonstrating international solidarity.
- Raisi’s Last Engagement: The incident occurred following Raisi’s visit to the border to inaugurate a dam with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev earlier on Sunday.
- Succession Protocols: With Raisi confirmed dead in the crash, Iran’s first vice president, Mohammad Mokhber, will assume the presidential duties with Ayatollah Khamenei’s assent, according to the Iranian constitution. A new presidential election must be called within 50 days as per the rules.
Also Read : Helicopter carrying Iran president Ebrahim Raisi suffers a ‘hard landing’
Conclusion
The tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian marks a significant loss for Iran. As global leaders extend their condolences and rescue efforts continue, the world watches closely to see how Iran navigates this challenging period.