THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Tehran, May 20: State media outlet Press TV has reported that all passengers, including Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, have died in a helicopter crash that occurred yesterday in the northwest region of the country.
The helicopter crash has resulted in the deaths of Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, East Azarbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati, East Azarbaijan Friday Prayer Imam Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, and several other passengers including Raisi’s bodyguard Seyyed Mehdi, the pilot, and the co-pilot.
Raisi was returning from an area near the Iran-Azerbaijan border and traveling to the city of Tabriz, which is located in northwest Iran, when the helicopter encountered dense fog.
The helicopter’s wreckage was found on a mountain. Following this, a continuous search operation was conducted to locate the people on board the helicopter. After strenuous efforts, all the bodies were recovered from the crash site. The President’s convoy included three helicopters, two of which returned safely, while one fell victim to the accident.
According to the Iranian Constitution, if the President dies, the first vice president will take over the president’s powers and duties, subject to the Supreme Leader’s approval. In this case, Vice President Mohammad Mokhber would be the successor.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on Monday over the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who perished in a helicopter crash.
“Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His contribution to strengthening India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow,” PM Modi posted on X.
Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His contribution to strengthening India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran.…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 20, 2024
