The death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has been confirmed in a helicopter crash. Iranian officials themselves claimed this when the army there found the debris of the crashed helicopter. On Sunday, the helicopter sporting Ebrahim Raisi and numerous Iranian officers crashed in a rural area. Iranian President Raisi was said to be dead after helicopter debris was found.
9 people including the Foreign Minister were present in the helicopter
In fact, on Sunday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his Foreign Minister became victims of a helicopter crash in mountainous areas and snowy weather. While returning, he was accompanied in his helicopter by Foreign Minister Hossein, Governor of East Azerbaijan Province Malik Rahmati, and Imam Mohammad Ali Aleihashem of Tabriz. Along with the pilot and co-pilot of the helicopter, the crew chief, head of security, and bodyguard were also present. An Iranian official feared he was dead after search teams located the wreckage.
The official told news agency Reuters,
President Raisi’s helicopter was completely burnt in the accident. Unfortunately, all passengers are feared dead. Rescuers searched through snowstorms and difficult terrain overnight to reach the wreckage in East Azerbaijan province early Monday. “We can see the debris and the situation is not looking good,” Pirhosein Kolivand, head of Iran’s Red Crescent, told state TV.
Video of crashed helicopter came
Footage shows the crash site of the presidential copter in northwest of Iran pic.twitter.com/FaxgrFLn0a
— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) May 20, 2024
A video of the crashed helicopter has also been released by Iranian media. In the video, the helicopter is seen blown to pieces and debris is lying all around.
نمای نزدیک از محل سقوط بالگرد رئیسجمهور pic.twitter.com/fwAOGyveNg
— خبرگزاری فارس (@FarsNews_Agency) May 20, 2024
Expert told the reason for the accident
🚨 First close up picture from the Raisi helicopter crash site in Iran, released by the official media pic.twitter.com/7iAZ4ooCmJ
— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) May 20, 2024
Flight expert Kyle Bailey says that the pilots who fly the presidential aircraft are usually skilled and experienced, but the helicopter is a very complex machine. ‘When you fly and the weather is clear, everything is fine, but the problem arises when pilots are in mountainous, rugged and forested areas and fog can suddenly develop in those places,’ he told Al Jazeera. Where you don’t expect it.
“It’s based on weather forecasts,” Bailey said. Neither will it be on maps nor visible on radar. Fog can appear very quickly out of nowhere and attack the pilot suddenly. After this it becomes difficult for the pilot to handle the helicopter.
Helicopter cabin destroyed
The helicopter has been completely destroyed. The cabin is badly damaged and burnt. He said there was no sign of any survivors at the site so far. Tasnim News reported that the wreckage of the helicopter carrying Raisi was found near the road from Khoylar to Kelam. The operation intensified after daylight and rescue teams spotted helicopter blades and fans on a hill.
Why was Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi going to Azerbaijan?
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was on a visit to Azerbaijan on Sunday. Raisi was in Azerbaijan on Sunday to inaugurate a dam with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. This is the third dam that both the countries have built on the Aras River. When Raisi was returning from Azerbaijan, his helicopter Bell 212 crashed. It is worth noting here that Azerbaijan is also a Muslim majority country. Here too, like Iran, there is a majority of Shia community. But Azerbaijan is considered a supporter of Israel.
Ebrahim Raisi’s dream remained unfulfilled
It was being said about Ebrahim Raisi that he was going to become the next Supreme Leader of Iran. He was seen as close to the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Some analysts believed that Ibrahim Raisi could replace 85-year-old Supreme Leader Khamenei after his death or resignation. 63-year-old Ibrahim Raisi is a leader with a radical image, who previously headed the country’s judiciary. Raisi had won Iran’s 2021 presidential election.
America suspects conspiracy
There is a stir in America even over the helicopter crash of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Joe Biden called an emergency meeting. American MP Chuck Schumer has reacted to this accident. He said that right now it cannot be said that there is any conspiracy behind the accident. However, no such evidence has been found yet. He said that the weather at the place where the helicopter crashed in Iran was very bad. Therefore, prima facie it appears to be an accident, but something can be said only after a complete investigation of the accident.
Emergency cabinet meeting in Iran
The government of Iran has called an emergency meeting after the death of President Raisi. The country’s Vice President Mohammad Mukhber presided over this meeting.
Vice President will take over the post in case of sudden death of the President
In Iran, the President is called the head of government while the Supreme Leader is called the head of state. According to Aljazeera’s report, if the President dies suddenly in Iran, then according to the Constitution the post is handed over to the Vice-President.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gives approval for this. Mohammad Mukherjee is the Vice-President of Iran. After he assumes office, presidential elections will have to be held in Iran within the next 50 days.
PM Modi said- India is with Iran in difficult times
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the death of Iranian President Raisi. Posting on social media, he said, “I am shocked by the sudden death of Raisi. He played an important role in taking forward India-Iran bilateral relations. My condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India in this difficult time.” Stands with Iran.”
At the same time, India’s Foreign Minister S Jaishankar has also expressed grief over Raisi’s death. He said, “I had met him in January itself. I am deeply saddened through the information of the accident. I express my condolences to the bereaved family.”
Venezuelan President said – Raisi was my special friend
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has expressed condolences on Raisi’s death. Maduro said that Raisi was his very special friend. Iran is the greatest example of dignity, morality and resistance.
Turkish drone finds crash site
A Turkish drone engaged in the search operation has spotted a burning place in the Tavil area on the hills of Azerbaijan. It is suspected that this could be the debris of Iranian President Raisi’s helicopter. However, the condition of the people aboard the helicopter is still not known.
There were difficulties in searching due to fog, rain and cold.
According to IRNA report, it was almost impossible to carry out the search operation using helicopters due to fog, rain and cold. 20-40 teams were sent towards the spot by road. These included Rangers including members of Iran’s special forces IRGC. They also had drones and search dogs for investigation.
Russia asked to send 50 rescue specialists and two special helicopters to help in the rescue operation. Apart from Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey as well as the European Commission activated satellite mapping to search for Raisi’s helicopter.
Reaction of other countries on Raisi’s helicopter crash…
- India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a message released on social media – I am worried by the news of the helicopter crash of Iranian President Raisi. I wish him well. We are with Iran in this difficult time.
- Iraq: In view of the accident, the Iraqi government has offered help in finding Raisi’s helicopter.
- America: America’s statement has also come amid the news of Raisi’s helicopter crash. The US State Department said that they are keeping an eye on the matter. President Joe Biden has also been informed about the incident.
- Pakistan: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, “Heard the disturbing news from Iran about the helicopter of President Syed Ibrahim Raisi. Waiting with concern for the good news that all is well. Our prayers and good wishes are with President Raisi and all of Iran.” Is.”
- Azerbaijan: President Ilham Aliyev said, ‘I gave a friendly farewell to President Raisi just a moment ago. Iran is our neighbor as well as a friend and brother. We are ready to help Iran in any way.
