Iran President Ebrahim Raisi dies in chopper crash, according to Iranian News Reports.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister died when their helicopter crashed as it was crossing mountain terrain in heavy fog, an Iranian official told news agency Reuters.
Incident Details:
Here are the 16 points on the developing story:
- “Upon finding the helicopter, there was no sign of the helicopter passengers being alive as of yet,” state TV reported.
- The helicopter carrying President Raisi along with other officials lost contact 30 minutes into the flight to Tabriz.
- The helicopter was coming back to Tehran after they were returning from the co-open event of the Qiz Qalasi Dam along the Iran-Azerbaijan border along with the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. More than 60 rescue teams, including those of the army, Revolutionary Guard forces, and police units, are involved.
- Search efforts are being hampered by many of the teams by the enveloping darkness and heavy fog and 32-degree weather.
- Reports indicate Unmanned aerial vehicles potentially identified a crash site, within a two-kilometer radius, and rescue teams detected a “smell of fuel.”
- Deputy President for Executive Affairs Mohsen Mansouri mentioned that two entourage members contacted rescue teams, hinting the situation might not be catastrophic.
- Reports indicate that the Tabriz Friday prayer leader spoke with President Raisi via phone from the downed helicopter, suggesting possible survival.
- Iran’s state media described the incident as an “accident.”
- Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged calm and assured the nation that governance will continue without disruption.
- He expressed hope for the safe return of President Raisi and his companions.
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Countries such as Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Russia, and Turkey have offered their assistance.
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The European Union has activated its rapid response mapping service to help locate the missing.
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with deep concern and solidarity after hearing the tragic news of the floods.
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US President Joe Biden was briefed immediately on the incident and assured to state department would keep a close eye on the happenings.
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The incident took place as regional tension continued to rise, particularly over the Gaza conflict, as well as Israel and Iran’s recent escalations.
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President Raisi, who has been in office since 2021, is a known supporter of Palestine and reaffirmed it during the inauguration of the dam.
Footage of the President’s helicopter crash in #Iran has been released by authorities.
There are no signs of survivors.
If this results in an Iranian uprising I don’t know which side I’ll pick, because I’ve virtue signaled for both in the past. pic.twitter.com/sLcoO8hI1l
— Justin Trudeau’s Ego (@Trudeaus_Ego) May 20, 2024
