After a lengthy search in blizzard conditions since Sunday, the helicopter crash and its passengers were all discovered this Monday. An Iranian official stated, “President Raisi, the foreign minister and all the passengers in the helicopter were killed in the crash”. The aircraft also carried East Azarbaijan Province’s Governor Malek Rahmati. The news of death was formally confirmed on News Television by the Vice President Mohsen Mansouri. Further sources have revealed that in the crash, merely debris was found as the helicopter fully burned down. The travellers were essentially on their way back from Azerbaijan. The President had visited the state to inaugurate the Qiz-Qalasi Dam which was a joint project. Rescue Teams both from Iran and Azerbaijan were involved in the perpetual search. Tasnim news agency revealed that the President’s convoy was joined by two additional helicopters who “Reached their destinations safely.”
News Reporting of the Accident
After the crash, the wreckage was discovered swiftly. Different Iranian Media sources showed drone images of what looked like this crash. The cause of the crash is so far attributed as the helicopter collapsing into a mountain and nothing further.
A total of nine people were on board including the President and other participants of the government. Koolivand reported soon after the news of the crash that the “The helicopter has been found, Now, we are moving toward the helicopter”. After this however there was a long pause of 15 hours until the next official news of the death of its passengers. The Iranian public waited in anticipation until the final announcement of the death of all those in this helicopter. In these grave circumstances, however, the cabinet confirms, “We assure the loyal nation that the path of service will continue with the tireless spirit of Ayatollah Raisi”. They reassured that the smooth functioning of the government will not be disrupted.
Condolences for the Iranian President
PM Shehbaz Sharif and President Zardari express deep grief after the grave accident of the Iranian President. In their separate statements, they both presented their condolences to firstly the grieving family members of the former President. Extending compassion towards other’s who lost family members in this accident as well as the foreign minister of Iran.
President Zardari gave an elaborate statement highlighting the positive outcomes brought forth by Raisi. He recognised his services of attempting to unite the Muslim Ummah and his steadfastness on bringing about this cohesion. Accordingly, he empathised as a fellow Muslim country stating that the Muslim World has lost a prominent leader who was ever ready to back Muslim causes and intervene in matters of distress for example his unwavering support of the Palestinian and Kashmiri people. He further described this incident as a great loss for the entire Muslim
PM Shehbaz similarly gave a statement declaring that Pakistan will observe a day of mourning, with the flag flying at half-mast, as a mark of respect for President Raisi and his companions.
