Ebrahim Raisi
By Our Reporter
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is entangled in helicopter crash.
NATIONAL WAVES gathered that the helicopter carrying Iranian President was involved in a crash today – sparking a huge rescue operation.
Raisi was travelling in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province on Sunday.
Iranian state media said the chopper had suffered a “hard landing” without giving any further explanation.
Iran’s interior minister, Ahmed Vahidi, confirmed the incident by saying: “After inaugurating the dam, the president was returning when the helicopter carrying him had a hard landing due to the foggy weather in the area.”
According to the state TV, the incident happened near Jolfa, a city on the border with with the nation of Azerbaijan, some 375 miles northwest of the Iranian capital, Tehran.
16 rescue teams have rushed to the scene but were reportedly struggling to reach the area because of heavy rain and winds.
A frantic search for Raisi is underway as Red Crescent, military personnel and police support units have been deployed to the site.
Mr Vahidi, has said that the rescue operation “will take time” as it is hindered by thick fog and poor visibility.
He told state TV: “Efforts are underway, and we hope to reach a resolution soon.
“It’s a complicated area, and making contact is difficult. We are waiting for teams to reach the area for more information.”
The condition of the Iranian president is unclear but Tasnim news said there’s “hope” after his companions reached out to report the incident.
Tasnim News said on Telegram: “Some of the president’s companions in this helicopter have managed to contact the center, and thus the hope for the end of this incident without loss of life has increased.”
The governor of East Azerbaijan province and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian were also amongst the passengers travelling alongside Raisi.
The two other helicopters, carrying ministers and officials, have landed at their destination safely.
Raisi had been in Azerbaijan early Sunday to inaugurate a dam with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.
The dam is the third one that the two nations built on the Aras River.
