A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi experienced a hard landing during a visit to a northern region of Iran, according to a report by Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday. The incident occurred in East Azerbaijan Province, where foggy conditions have hampered rescue efforts.
The helicopter, which was part of a convoy of three, went down in East Azerbaijan Province. The exact status of President Raisi and the other passengers remains unclear. Among those on board were notable figures such as Ayatollah Al Hashem, Imam of Tabriz; Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Malik Rahmati, Governor of East Azerbaijan; and several other officials.
Emergency crews have been unable to reach the helicopter due to the foggy conditions, complicating the rescue operations. The Red Crescent Relief Forces, along with auxiliary military and law enforcement personnel, have launched a widespread effort to locate the helicopter and its passengers. Despite the challenging conditions, some of the passengers managed to communicate with Central Headquarters, raising hopes that the incident may have occurred without casualties.
The convoy consisted of three helicopters, with the other two carrying additional ministers and officials who safely arrived at their destination.
As of now, the condition of President Raisi and the others on board is unknown. Authorities continue their efforts to locate and assist the passengers, focusing on overcoming the adverse weather conditions to ensure a swift rescue. Further updates are expected as rescue teams make progress in reaching the helicopter and assessing the situation.
