A helicopter transporting Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi encountered a hard landing during a convoy journey, as reported by state media. The incident occurred as President Raisi was en route to Tabriz, a city in northwestern Iran, following a visit to the border with Azerbaijan where he inaugurated significant dam projects.
The Interior Minister confirmed that adverse weather conditions have complicated rescue efforts at the crash site, situated in a mountainous and fog-shrouded area approximately 50km north of Tabriz.
The challenging visibility, reduced to a mere five meters, has impeded search and rescue operations, leaving officials struggling to locate the downed helicopter. Ahmad Alirezabeigi, an Iranian MP representing Tabriz, expressed the ongoing difficulties faced by rescue teams in pinpointing the crash site. Despite the unfortunate incident, the other helicopters in the convoy managed to land safely, providing a glimmer of relief amidst the unfolding situation.
As the nation awaits updates on the President’s condition and the progress of rescue operations, concerns mount over the impact of the accident on both President Raisi and the politics of Iran.