Tehran: Helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister crashed on Sunday as it was crossing mountain terrain in heavy fog, an Iranian official told Reuters, and rescuers were struggling to reach the site of the incident.

The official said the lives of Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian were “at risk following the helicopter crash”, which happened on the way back from a visit to the border with Azerbaijan in Iran’s northwest.

“We are still hopeful but information coming from the crash site is very concerning,” the official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

State TV quoted an official as saying that at least one passenger and one crew member had been in contact with rescuers. It also said the helicopter had been found, though Iran’s Red Crescent denied this report.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate power with a final say on foreign policy and Iran’s nuclear programme, sought to reassure Iranians, saying there would be no disruption to state affairs.

Iranian state media said bad weather was the cause of the crash and was complicating rescue efforts. The chief of staff of Iran’s army ordered all the resources of the army and the elite Revolutionary Guard to be put to use in search and rescue operations.

“It is dark and it has started raining, but the search continues. Rescue teams have reached the area ... however, the rain has created mud, making the search difficult,” a local reporter told state TV.

The national broadcaster had earlier stopped all its regular programming to show prayers being held for Raisi across the country and, in a corner of the screen, live coverage of rescue teams deployed on foot in the mountainous area in heavy fog.

Neighbouring countries expressed concern and offered assistance in any rescue. White House said US President Joe Biden had been briefed on reports about crash. European Union activated emergency satellite mapping technology to help Iran with search.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed concern and prayed for safety of Iranian President and FM Abdullahian. “Deeply concerned to hear news about helicopter incident carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Abdullahian and others, President Zardari said on his official X timeline.

“My heartfelt prayers and good wishes for well-being and safety of President Raisi so that he may continue to serve Iranian nation.”

In his post on X, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said. “Waiting with great anxiety for good news that all is well”. “Our prayers and best wishes are with President Raisi and entire Iranian nation,” he added.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 20 2024

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