International Courant
TEHRAN, Iran
Search and rescue operations continued early Monday within the mountainous terrain of northwestern Iran a number of hours after a helicopter by which Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his entourage have been touring crashed.
Greater than 65 emergency rescue groups have been dispatched to the world in East Azerbaijan Province the place the incident came about, however inclement climate has hampered efforts.
Based on the most recent studies, the radius of the search operation the place the helicopter carrying President Raisi, Overseas Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, senior cleric Ayatollah Al-Hashem and East Azerbaijan Governor Malik Rehmat suffered a “exhausting touchdown” has been lowered to 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) from 20 (12 miles).
Nevertheless, situations stay unfavorable amid dense fog, heavy rain and tough terrain within the space.
Pir Hossein Kolivand, the pinnacle of Iran’s Purple Crescent Society, advised state TV that rescue groups searched some locations the place they thought the chopper may have crashed however found nothing.
He hastened so as to add that rescue groups have now zeroed in on one other location within the mountainous area the place they’re presently engaged in a search operation, including the situations are troublesome.
Ruhullah Mutafakir Azad, a member of the Iranian parliament from East Azerbaijan Province, was quoted by state media as saying that armed forces members, ministers, lawmakers and provincial officers are all current on the bottom and adequate gear has been made accessible for search and rescue operations.
He expressed hope that “excellent news” in regards to the situation of Raisi and his entourage will probably be introduced in just a few hours after the rescue efforts produce the “desired outcomes.”
Amongst these current on the web site of the incident embrace Deputy Vice President Mohammad Mokhber and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander-in-chief Basic Hossein Salami, who’re reportedly overseeing the search and rescue operations.
Earlier within the day, Basic Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Workers of Iran’s Armed Forces, known as on army forces to make use of all sources to rescue the president and his companions.
Talking to state TV, Deputy Overseas Minister Mahdi Safari, who was touring in one other helicopter and made it to his vacation spot safely, stated the Tabriz Friday prayer chief who was accompanying Raisi made calls twice after the accident and spoke about his “unhealthy situation.”
Stories about rescue groups discovering the presidential chopper couldn’t be independently verified.
In the meantime, individuals gathered at Vali Asr Sq., one of many busiest thoroughfares within the Iranian capital, on Sunday night time, praying for the protection and well-being of Raisi and his entourage.
Particular prayer periods have been additionally held within the revered Imam Reza Shrine of Mashhad, Raisi’s hometown. He beforehand headed the shrine earlier than changing into the pinnacle of the Iranian judiciary.
In remarks on Sunday night, Iran’s Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged everybody to wish for Raisi and others accompanying him, describing them as “servants” of the Iranian nation.
The incident came about after Raisi joined his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev for the inauguration and commissioning ceremony of a hydraulic challenge on the border with Azerbaijan.
Anadolu Company web site incorporates solely a portion of the information tales provided to subscribers within the AA Information Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized type. Please contact us for subscription choices.
