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On a fateful day, a helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi and several high-ranking officials crashed in a remote area near Jolfa, East Azerbaijan province. The incident occurred during their return journey from inaugurating a cooperative dam project with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, a testament to the improving relations between the two nations.
As news of the crash spread, emergency crews were swiftly mobilized to locate the missing passengers. Twenty rescue teams and drones were deployed to scour the crash site, facing treacherous weather conditions marked by heavy rain, fog, and wind. The search was further hindered by the inaccessible terrain, described as a dense forest.
Initial reports regarding President Raisi's whereabouts were conflicting. Initially, state media claimed he had opted to travel by car due to poor weather, but this was later retracted. Subsequently, state television confirmed that Raisi was indeed onboard the ill-fated helicopter, along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, East Azerbaijan Province Governor Malek Rahmati, and Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, the Supreme Leader's representative.
Two other helicopters in the convoy carrying Energy Minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian and Housing and Transportation Minister Mehrdad Bazrpash successfully returned to the city of Tabriz.
The government remained tight-lipped, with limited statements issued as details remained unclear. Meanwhile, the Iranian people expressed their concern and prayed for the safety of those involved.
Questions linger regarding the cause of the crash, as no confirmation has emerged on the type of helicopters used. Iran operates various helicopter models, some dating back to the pre-revolution era. International sanctions and financial constraints have posed challenges in procuring spare parts, potentially affecting maintenance and safety.
In the absence of President Raisi, Vice President Mohammad Mokhber, a 69-year-old PhD holder in international law, will assume power. Mokhber has been entrusted with overseeing the execution of Ayatollah Khamenei's orders since 2007.
Source: President Raisi’s helicopter crashes in Iran: What we know so far