The National By The National
Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi is missing after the helicopter he was travelling in was forced to make a “hard landing” amid difficult weather.
Iran’s Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi confirmed that rescue teams had been sent to East Azerbaijan province, close to Iran’s border with Azerbaijan.
Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, East Azerbaijan Governor Malik Rahmati and Mohammed Ali Ale-Hashem, the imam of Tabriz, were all also reportedly aboard the helicopter.
Two other helicopters travelling in the convoy landed safely.
Later on, Sunday night, Irna denied reports that the helicopter had been found as a massive rescue effort continued into darkness.
Heavy fog and difficult weather are hampering rescue operations in the area, which will take “some time”, said Mr Vahidi, with at least 40 teams said to be searching the area on foot.
Aerial search and rescue operations were also suspended after heavy fog left helicopters unable to land.
“It’s a complicated area, and making contact is difficult. We are waiting for teams to reach the area for more information,” Mr Vahidi told state TV.
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Iranians should pray for the missing leaders.
“Everyone should pray for the health of these people who are serving the Iranian nation,” Mr Khamenei said in a post on X.
“The nation doesn’t need to be worried or anxious as the administration of the country will not be disrupted at all.”
Speaking to Reuters, an Iranian official said the lives of Mr Raisi and Mr Amirabdollahian were “in danger”.
“We are still hopeful but information coming from the crash site is very concerning,” said the official.
Mr Raisi, 63, had been on the border with Azerbaijan to inaugurate the Qiz Qalasi and Khoda Afarin dams on the river Aras before he set off to return to Iran by helicopter…
READ FULL ARTICLE HERE… (thenationalnews.com)
Home | Caravan to Midnight (zutalk.com)
Be First to Comment