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A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi crashed on Sunday in a mountainous space within the nation’s north-west, in keeping with Iranian officers who didn’t present particulars of his situation.
State media confirmed video footage of a convoy of ambulances struggling to make their method by means of thick fog up a mountain highway. In response to Tasnim information company, the crash web site has been positioned in Arasbaran Forest close to the border with Azerbaijan.
Pir-Hossein Kolivand, the pinnacle of Iran Purple Crescent, mentioned that 40 fast response groups had been deployed to go looking the world. Makes an attempt to find the crash web site with drones failed earlier within the day on account of dangerous climate and the rugged terrain, he mentioned.
Iranian international minister Hossein Amirabdollahian was additionally onboard the helicopter as a part of Raisi’s entourage, coming back from a day journey to the nation’s northern neighbour, Azerbaijan, the place they inaugurated a dam.
Inside minister Ahmad Vahidi mentioned the president’s helicopter had a “arduous touchdown” in a mountainous and foggy area, the place communication was “considerably tough”. Additional data could be supplied when rescue groups reached the accident web site, he mentioned.
Rescue employees had not reached the crash web site by dusk, with darkness, rain and chilly temperatures additional complicating efforts to find the plane. State media was broadcasting prayers on Sunday night, urging Iranians to wish for his or her president.
Earlier within the day, some members of the president’s entourage who have been onboard the helicopter, managed to make contact, elevating hopes that the incident may end in minimal casualties, Tasnim mentioned. Two different helicopters that had flown to Azerbaijan and again carrying different ministers and officers “have safely reached their vacation spot”, it mentioned.
Ought to Raisi be incapacitated, first vice-president Mohammad Mokhber will take over his duties.
Raisi was elected in 2021 in a vote with a report low turnout within the nation’s historical past. He’s anticipated to hunt re-election subsequent 12 months, and his title has emerged in political circles as a high candidate to succeed Iran’s supreme chief, 85-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The president has proven unconditional loyalty to the ayatollah and maintained shut relations with the Revolutionary Guards. After many years of tense relations between Iran’s presidents and the supreme chief over the extent of their powers, Raisi has been the primary to finish these tensions.
Khamenei on Sunday known as on the nation to not fear, reassuring residents that there will probably be “no disruptions” within the nation’s affairs or safety. He added that authorities have been doing their finest to make sure the federal government’s obligations have been managed with order and effectivity.
He additionally requested everybody to wish for the secure return of the “revered president and his companions”.
