Ghulam Hossein Ismali, head of Iran’s presidential palace, said the “conditions” and weather during the flight of the three helicopters, including the one carrying late President Ibrahim Raisi, were “very normal”.
The day before, President Raisi attended a dam opening ceremony on the Iran-Azerbaijan border and was killed in a helicopter crash on his way back.
President Ismaili told Iranian state broadcaster IRIB that he was in one of three helicopters carrying Iranian officials, while the president and his entourage were traveling in another helicopter.
Ismaili said the weather at the start of the flight was clear and they were heading towards Tabriz from below the dam.
Ismaili said they traveled for about 30 minutes through an area adjacent to the Songon copper mine, noting that cloud masses had formed in the valley adjacent to the route.
Ismaili said the weather was very clear, although there was fog at the bottom of the valley. “There were clouds in a small area at this point, but in terms of flight altitude, we were at the same height as these clouds or even a little bit lower,” he said.
Ismaili said Mustafavi, the commander of the helicopter fleet and the pilot of the helicopter carrying Reishi, gave instructions to other helicopters to gain altitude, get above the clouds and continue.
“The helicopter went above the clouds. Ours was the third helicopter. The middle one was carrying the president. There was another helicopter in front. Our pilot realized after 30 seconds that the main helicopter (with the president) was not with us.” The situation was quite ordinary, normal and difficult. “Even on airplane flights there can be vibrations, but on this route everything was normal and the clouds quickly disappeared. Then the weather became cloudless and we could see the ridgeline.” At our feet was the mountain, and very close by was the Songdun copper mine.
Ismaili explained that the pilot of his helicopter had returned to search for the helicopter carrying the president, and said, “I asked the co-pilot, ‘Why are you coming back?'” I replied, “No matter how many times we called, the radio communication was cut off and there was no response, so we believe one of the helicopters did not arrive and made an emergency landing.” “The pilot said that there was radio communication one minute and 30 seconds ago,” I said.
Ismaili said that once the helicopter returned, he made several tours over the area, but the clouds made it difficult to see below. “It was impossible to get under the clouds. , we landed near the Songon mines.
Ismail said he contacted Imam Muhammad Ali al-i-Hashim, who was in the same helicopter as the Sheikh on Friday in Tabriz, and asked him where he was.
“He said he was under a tree. I asked if his other friends were okay, and he said, ‘I don’t see anyone, I’m alone. I don’t know what’s going on. There’s no one around. There’s no one there.” He provided information that we were in a forested area. It soon became clear that the presidential helicopter had been in an accident, so we decided to head to the area closest to the accident site. We had the appropriate vehicles, the necessary ambulances and paramedics, and we took medical personnel to the location where we believe the accident occurred.”
Ismaili said he spoke to Hashim three or four times, adding: “Other colleagues contacted him frequently until three to four hours after the accident. Ali Hashim answered the phone. However, his response was that Mr. Hashim was not well and that he was simply alive.”
Ismaili said he later learned that the other passengers on board the helicopter “died instantly,” adding: “The condition of the bodies showed that they were martyred immediately after the accident.” He said.
Accident and aftermath
On May 19, President Raisi attended the opening ceremony of a dam on the Iran-Azerbaijan border. Raisi was on his way back home with Foreign Minister Hussein Emir Abdullahyan and some other officials when his helicopter crashed.
At Iran’s request, Prime Minister Turkiye assigned the Akhundu unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for search and rescue operations. The coordinates of the helicopter wreckage detected by the Akhundu UAV were shared with Iranian authorities.
The Iranian team arrived at the designated location and determined that there were no survivors from the accident.
After the leader’s death was confirmed, First Vice President Mohammed Mukhbir was appointed interim president.
It was announced that presidential elections, which under the Iranian constitution must be held within a maximum of 50 days, will be held on June 28th.
In Iran, the president is elected by the people from among candidates approved by the Constitutional Defense Council.
*News visual provided by AA.
