Monday, May 20, 2024
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash
Ebrahim Raisi, Iranian president died in a helicopter crash in mountainous terrain close to the border with Azerbaijan on Monday, according to the state media and public officials. Join Saudi Expatriates channel on WhatsApp for latest updates
After an overnight search in blizzard conditions, early on Monday, the burned debris of the chopper carrying Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and Raisi was discovered.
- A senior Iranian source told that, "President Raisi, the foreign minister, and all the passengers in the helicopter were killed in the crash," requesting privacy due to the delicate nature of the situation.
- Later, Vice President Mohsen Mansouri confirmed Raisi's death on official television and in a statement posted on social media.
- Although there was no official statement on the cause of the crash, State TV stated that photos from the scene showed the aircraft colliding with a mountain peak. Subscribe to Saudi Expatriates on YouTube
According to the state news agency IRNA, Raisi was piloting a Bell 212 helicopter, which is manufactured in the United States.
After winning the presidency in the year 2021, Raisi, 63, has tightened morals rules, brutally suppressed anti-government demonstrations, and pressed hard for nuclear discussions with international powers.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran and the ultimate decision-maker on matters of state, including foreign policy and Iran's nuclear program, had earlier tried to reassure Iranians by stating that there would be no interruption to state business.
To get to the wreckage in the early hours of Monday morning, rescue crews battled through the night against blizzards and challenging terrain. Like and Follow Saudi Expatriates on Facebook
The head of Iran's Red Crescent, Pirhossein Kolivand, said on state TV that "no signs of life have been detected among the helicopter's passengers" since the crash site was discovered.
The national network had earlier halted its regular programming to demonstrate the nationwide prayers being held in Raisi's honor.
In the video, a crew of rescuers huddled around a GPS unit while searching a snow-covered mountainside on foot was seen wearing colorful jackets and head lamps.
Numerous nations had voiced their worries and sent offers of support.
According to the White House, US President Joe Biden was informed of the crash's reports. China expressed its extreme worry. The European Union offered Emergency satellite mapping technology. Join Saudi Expatriates channel on Facebook
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi killed in a helicopter crash - Saudi-Expatriates.com
