Helicopter crash sparks search for Iranian president amid severe weather
As the Iranian Red Crescent reported, three rescuers deployed by local authorities went missing during the search operation for the helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi. The weather conditions in the East Azerbaijan province, where the crash occurred, are very severe.
Three rescuers who were sent on the rescue mission to search for the crashed helicopter of President Ebrahim Raisi went missing. The spokesperson for the Iranian Red Crescent told the media that contact was lost with the group searching for the wreckage and survivors in the mountains near Sungun.
The rescue operation is being conducted in dense fog, and the weather conditions in the East Azerbaijan province are highly challenging.
According to the BBC, rescue teams are close to the location where the helicopter might have crashed. The TV station says the helicopter is somewhere in the mountainous terrain, where access is extremely difficult. The Red Crescent spokesperson added that the weather is expected to worsen soon.
The search and rescue operation will slow down significantly if his words are confirmed. The weather might become dangerous to life and health; with the evening approaching, it will get cold in the mountains, and more rain is forecast.
Interestingly, BBC now reports that the Red Crescent denies the reports about missing rescuers.
Helicopter crash of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi
An Iranian official told Reuters that the lives of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian are "at risk." The helicopter with the politicians was supposed to have a "hard landing" in northwestern Iran.
President Raisi and other officials participated in the ceremony to launch a dam on the Aras River. The Iranian politician met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev there.
The President of Iran, the Foreign Minister, the Governor of East Azerbaijan province, and clerics were then supposed to fly by helicopter to Tazbir. However, the machine had a "hard landing" near the Sungun copper mine due to poor weather conditions prevailing in the region.
