A HELICOPTER in a convoy carrying Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi has been reportedly involved in an air crash on Sunday, May 19.
According to CNN, the Iranian state news agency (IRNA) reported that the aircraft, which also had in it, Iranian’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, came down in East Azerbaijan Province and emergency crews have so far been unable to reach it due to foggy conditions.
The president, foreign affairs minister, and several other dignitaries were on the helicopter when it crashed while returning from a ceremony to mark the opening of a dam on Iran’s border with Azerbaijan in the Varzaqan area.
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While the exact condition of the helicopter is still unknown, twenty rescue teams and drones have been sent to the area where the helicopter came down.
“20 rescue teams and drones have been sent to the area, but due to the impassability of the area, its mountainous and forest conditions, as well as unfavorable weather conditions, especially heavy fog, the search and rescue operation will take time,” IRNA said.
CNN also cited a local news agency-Tasnim which informed that the helicopter was part of a convoy of three helicopters that carried ministers and officials who arrived at their destination safely and those onboard the missing vehicle which include: Raisi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and Governor of East Azerbaijan Malik Rahmati.
According to Iran’s interior minister, Ahmad Vahidi, one of the helicopters was forced to make a hard landing due to foggy weather conditions.
“Now different rescue groups are moving towards the area but given that it is foggy and the unsuitable weather and the conditions it may take some time until they reach where the helicopter is,” Vahidi said.
He noted that there had been some contact with the passengers on the helicopter, “but given the area is a bit complicated, making contact is difficult and we are waiting inshallah for rescue groups to quickly reach the location of this accident where the helicopter is and give us more information.”
Multimedia journalist covering Entertainment and Foreign news