Iranian state television said one of the helicopters in the convoy carrying President Ibrahim Raisi had an accident. Iranian Foreign Minister Hussein Abdullahian is also claimed to have been on the same helicopter.
According to reports, three helicopters took part in the convoy, and two helicopters carrying ministers arrived safely at their destination.
The Iranian president met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the dam’s opening ceremony. After the meeting, the helicopter carrying Laci on her way home made an emergency landing in East Azerbaijan province.
A hard landing was made
The forced landing was reportedly a “hard landing” as it was carried out under difficult weather conditions with dense fog and polar winds.
Iran’s East Azerbaijan Governorate said it could not yet provide information on “possible fatalities and injuries” related to the “helicopter crash carrying the president.”
Iran’s Fars News Agency called on Iranians to pray for the presidential leader’s soul following news of the helicopter crash. Iranian state television began broadcasting prayers for the president’s health and safety.
“The reason for the accident is weather conditions.”
Iranian state television said the cause of the accident was weather conditions and could not confirm any information on deaths or injuries.
“The situation is worrying.”
“Following the helicopter crash, the lives of President Raisi and Foreign Minister Emirabdullahyan are in danger,” an Iranian official told Reuters.
Officials said there is still hope, but the information obtained from the accident scene is very worrying.
Iran’s Chief of Staff Muhamel Baqeri ordered the use of all military and Revolutionary Guard resources for search and rescue operations.
Rescue teams are aiming to reach the area where the accident occurred despite difficult weather conditions.
roadside rescue team
According to reports, the aid team is aiming to reach the city of Julfa, about 600 kilometers northwest of the capital Tehran, where the accident occurred.
A statement from Iran’s Ministry of Interior noted that difficult weather conditions were making it difficult for rescue teams to reach the area. Rescue efforts may reportedly take longer due to bad weather.
Search and rescue teams are rushing to reach the area where the accident occurred.
A statement from the Iranian Red Crescent Society said:
“Following reports of an incident involving the helicopter carrying the President, rescue teams, unmanned aerial vehicles and other necessary equipment were dispatched to the area by the Red Crescent Society for search operations.The incident took place in Kalibar province. “The place is covered with forest, is inaccessible, and is currently foggy.” ”
Statement from the United States
A White House statement said US President Joe Biden had been informed of the news that the helicopter carrying the Iranian president had been involved in an accident.
The US State Department also said it was closely monitoring developments regarding the helicopter crash.
A Foreign Ministry spokesperson issued a statement regarding the crash of the helicopter carrying Raci and Foreign Minister Hussein Emir Abdullahian, reporting that it made a hard landing, CBS News reported.
In a statement, U.S. officials, including Iran’s president, Foreign Minister Abdullahian and several other officials, said they were reviewing reports of a possible hard landing of the helicopter in Iran and were closely monitoring developments.
Aliyev: We are ready to provide Iran with all support.
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev is concerned about the emergency landing of Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi’s helicopter and announced his readiness to assist Iran.
Aliyev said:
“We were seriously concerned today after hearing the news that a helicopter carrying a high-level delegation made an emergency landing in Iran after meeting with President Ibrahim Raisi of the Islamic Republic of Iran.President Ibrahim Raisi “The Republic of Azerbaijan is ready to provide all kinds of assistance as a neighboring, friendly and brotherly country.”
