World Courant
A helicopter belonging to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi made a “exhausting touchdown” in central Iran in foggy situations on Sunday, in accordance with the nation’s state-affiliated media.
Raisi, 63, was touring with Iranian International Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and different officers when their helicopter made a “exhausting touchdown,” Iranian media reported. There was no fast phrase on whether or not there have been any accidents or the situation of the aircraft.
In keeping with media studies, crews from the Pink Crescent Aid and Rescue Group have been despatched to the scene to find the helicopter.
Early Monday morning native time, Iran’s International Ministry stated search and rescue operations for Raisi and his delegation have been persevering with.
“Regardless of the hostile climate and environmental situations, efforts to succeed in the rescue groups to the accident website proceed with seriousness and hope,” the Iranian International Ministry stated.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi locations his arms on his coronary heart as a gesture of respect to the group through the funeral ceremony of the victims of a bomb explosion within the metropolis of Kerman, about 820 km southeast of the capital Tehran, Iran, January 5, 2024.
Vahid Salemi/AP, FILE
In keeping with White Home Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, President Joe Biden was briefed on the Iranian president’s helicopter incident.
In keeping with a spokesperson, the Ministry of International Affairs is intently monitoring studies in regards to the incident.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is sending 50 rescuers, two planes and a helicopter to Iran to assist in the seek for President Raisi’s helicopter, TASS, a Russian information service, reported late on Sunday.
In keeping with the Turkish Protection Ministry, the nation has despatched an Akıncı UAV and a Cougar-type helicopter with evening imaginative and prescient to help in search and rescue operations.
The incident befell within the mountainous space of Kalibar and Warzghan in central Iran.
Earlier, a relative of the president instructed Fars Information Company that the helicopter needed to land because of foggy climate.
On this picture offered by the Islamic Republic Information Company, IRNA, the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi takes off at Iran’s border with Azerbaijan after President Raisi and his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev constructed the dam of Qiz Qalasi, or Castel of Lady Azeri, Iran, inaugurated, Might 19, 2024.
Ali Hamed Haghdoust/AP
In an look on state tv, Iranian Inside Minister Ahmad Vahidi confirmed that the president’s helicopter made a “tough touchdown.”
Afterward Sunday, an Iranian authorities spokesman described the helicopter incident as an “accident.”
“We’re experiencing tough and complex circumstances. It’s the proper of the individuals and the media to know the most recent information in regards to the president’s helicopter accident, however in accordance with the coordinates of the accident website and climate situations, there’s ‘no’ new information to this point . At these occasions, endurance, prayer and belief in support teams are the way in which ahead,” the federal government spokesperson stated.
This choice of handout video footage launched by Iran’s state tv community IRINN on Might 19, 2024 exhibits Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi aboard a helicopter within the Jofa area of the western province of East Azerbaijan.
IRINN/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
The primary studies of issues with Raisi’s helicopter, one in every of three in a convoy carrying Iranian officers, started circulating on state media round 3:45 p.m. native time, or 8:15 a.m. ET.
Climate situations have additionally severely hampered search situations, the top of Iran’s Pink Crescent stated
Forty search and rescue groups had been despatched to the world, the top of Iran’s Pink Crescent instructed state media. Though search and rescue planes have additionally been despatched to the world, climate situations have prevented them from flying, in accordance with the Pink Crescent.
Vahidi stated Raisi was within the space to assist open the Khoda Afarin and Qiz Qalasi dams close to Azerbaijan and was returning house from the journey when the incident occurred.
Rescue automobiles are seen after a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi crashed in Varzaqan, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran, Might 19, 2024.
Azin Haghighi by way of Reuters
“One of many helicopters needed to make a tough touchdown because of dangerous climate situations and fog within the space,” Vahidi stated.
Ilham Aliyev, the president of Azerbaijan who attended the inauguration of the dams with Raisi on Sunday, supplied assist from his nation in finding the helicopter.
“Immediately, after bidding a pleasant farewell to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, we have been deeply disturbed by the information {that a} helicopter carrying the highest delegation made an emergency touchdown in Iran,” Aliyev stated in a submit on social media . media website
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Chief, additionally launched a press release asking individuals to wish that Raisi and the others are discovered protected.
“We hope that Almighty God will return the revered and honorable president and his companions into the arms of the nation,” Khamenei stated. “Everybody ought to pray for the well being of this group of ministers.”
ABC Information’ Hami Hamedi contributed to this report.
This can be a improvement story. Test again later for updates.
