Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi confirmed dead after helicopter crash
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was confirmed dead after rescuers discovered a helicopter carrying him and other officials that crashed in the mountainous northwest region of Iran the day before. He was 63 years old.
The tragic accident also claimed the lives of several high-ranking officials.
Among the passengers were Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Governor of Eastern Azerbaijan province Malek Rahmati, Tabriz’s Friday prayer Imam Mohammad Ali Alehashem, as well as a pilot, copilot, crew chief, head of security, and another bodyguard. According to Iranian media, all nine individuals on board were declared dead.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters, “President Raisi, the foreign minister, and all the passengers in the helicopter were killed in the crash.”
State television did not provide an immediate cause for the crash, which occurred in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province.
Footage released by the IRNA early Monday showed what was described as the crash site, located across a steep valley in a green mountain range. Soldiers speaking in the local Azeri language could be heard saying, “There it is, we found it.”
An Iranian official reported that the search teams who located the wreckage found “no sign of life.”
In the wake of Raisi’s death, Iran’s first vice president, Mohammad Mokhber, 68, is expected to assume the role of interim president.
Mokhber had already begun receiving calls from officials and foreign governments in Raisi’s absence, according to state media.
The government convened an urgent meeting on Monday, with Raisi’s usual chair left vacant and covered in a black sash in his memory.
Rescue teams faced extreme weather conditions, battling blizzards and treacherous terrain through the night to reach the wreckage in East Azerbaijan province in the early hours of Monday.
Turkish authorities released drone footage early Monday morning that showed what appeared to be a fire in the wilderness, suspected to be the wreckage of the helicopter.
The coordinates in the footage placed the fire approximately 12 miles south of the Azerbaijan-Iranian border on a steep mountainside.
Allied Russia played a significant role in the search and rescue operation. State media reported that Russia sent a 50-man specialist mountain rescue unit to assist in locating the crash site.
The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed this deployment in a Telegram post. Iran’s Red Crescent mobilized approximately 73 teams, including detector dogs, to aid in the search efforts.
ALSO READ: Why Martin Amidu Petitioned Akufo-Addo for the Removal of Kissi Agyebeng
Ebrahim Raisi, who took office in August 2021, was a prominent figure in Iranian politics and a close ally of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
His death marks a significant loss for Iran, coming at a time of heightened tensions both domestically and internationally.
Raisi’s presidency was characterized by efforts to navigate complex relations with the West while maintaining a hardline stance on several key issues.
The helicopter crash has sent shockwaves through Iran and the broader region. International reactions have poured in, with messages of condolence and support from various world leaders.
The tragic event has underscored the inherent risks faced by political leaders in volatile regions and the critical importance of safety in official travel.
Iran’s government and people now face the challenge of mourning their leader while ensuring continuity in governance.
The loss of multiple key officials in the crash compounds the difficulty of this transition.
As interim president, Mohammad Mokhber will need to quickly stabilize the situation and maintain the course set by Raisi, amid ongoing political and economic challenges.
In the immediate aftermath, Iran’s political landscape is likely to experience a period of uncertainty as the nation comes to terms with the sudden loss of its president.
The crash investigation will be crucial in understanding the cause and preventing future tragedies. The international community will be closely watching how Iran navigates this critical juncture.
This tragic incident not only highlights the precarious nature of high-stakes travel for political figures but also serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of life, regardless of status or position.
Share Our Post on The Topic ‘Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi confirmed dead after helicopter crash’.
To Read More Stories, Click Here.