There are fears for the life of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi after his helicopter made a hard landing in the city of Jolfa in the northwestern Iranian province of East Azarbaijan.
The helicopter was transporting President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, East Azarbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati, Friday Prayers leader of Tabriz city Mohammad Ali Al-e Hashem and several other passengers when it encountered difficulties and was forced to make a “hard landing.”
The incident happened at Dizmar forest, between the cities of Varzaqan and Jolfa.
One hour after the incident, rescue teams reached the area and started search operations.
Fifteen Red Crescent K-9 teams (sniffer dogs) along with two Red Crescent drones are also searching the area for any trace of the helicopter carrying the Iranian President.
Due to the adverse weather conditions and severe fog in the area, the Red Crescent’s rescue helicopters are currently unable to fly, and the teams are conducting a ground search of the area.
Iranian authorities have called upon the Iranian people to pray for the president and others own board.
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President Raisi was returning from a ceremony to inaugurate a dam on the Aras River with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.
Aliyev expressed serious concern over the helicopter’s emergency landing carrying Raisi and his delegation.
“Today, after meeting with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ibrahim Raisi, we were seriously worried by the news that the helicopter carrying the high delegation made an emergency landing in Iran. Our prayers to Almighty God are with President Ibrahim Raisi and his accompanying delegation. As a neighboring, friendly and brotherly country, the Republic of Azerbaijan is ready to provide all kinds of support,” said Aliyev on X.
Palestinian group Hamas also expressed sympathy with Iran on Sunday following a helicopter crash involving Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, which reportedly made a “hard landing.”
“Our hearts are with the brotherly Iranian people. We ask Almighty God to have mercy on the Iranian president, the foreign minister, and all those accompanying them,” Hamas leader Izzat al-Rishq said in a statement.
More to follow…
