IRIA News

A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and other high-level officials crashed in the mountainous region of the country’s East Azerbaijan province on May 19, 2024. All nine people aboard have been confirmed dead, state media reported.

The helicopter crashed in Jolfa in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, about 600 kilometers from Tehran reportedly killing all 9 people on board.

Raisi was flying in a convoy of three helicopters from the Iran-Azerbaijan border, where he and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev had inaugurated a cooperative dam project, marking the latest sign of improving relations between the two countries.

A large-scale rescue operation was underway on the night of May 19 amid heavy fog in a mountainous area. Around 40 search and rescue teams, drones, and medical crews have been dispatched to assist in the search efforts. The Red Crescent and Iranian emergency crews reached the remote area where Raisi’s helicopter crashed.

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian confirmed dead in the helicopter crash.

The aircraft carrying 9 people crashed in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province as it was crossing mountain terrain in heavy fog. No survivors found at the crash site. pic.twitter.com/ndcTICEoMZ

— IRIA (@IRIA_Research) May 20, 2024

Details about the incident gradually came to light as initial reports by Iran’s state-affiliated media stated that Raisi had chosen to travel to Tabriz by car due to foggy weather conditions and that he was safe. However, these reports were removed after state media confirmed that the helicopter carrying Raisi and other officials had crashed. Earlier reports suggested that the helicopter had experienced a ‘hard landing.’

President Ebrahim Raisi and his team were aboard a twin-engine Bell 212 helicopter, according to Iranian media. It was one of the three helicopters in the president’s convoy. The other two made it back safely to the city of Tabriz.

Turkiye’s Akinci unmanned drone took part in the detection of the crashed helicopter and helped the rescuers find the location of the wreckage site of President Raisi’s aircraft.

Who was aboard the helicopter?

According to state media, the passengers traveling on board the helicopter with Ebrahim Raisi were Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, East Azerbaijan Province Governor Malek Rahmati, and Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, the representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to East Azerbaijan.

The rescuers at the site of the helicopter crash have said that “There is no sign of life” and the wreckage seems to be “intense”. The rescue crew members said that the cockpit of the helicopter had been completely destroyed and only the tail of the helicopter was intact.

Iran declares five days of mourning

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has announced five days of mourning following the death of the country’s President Ebrahim Raisi. “I announce five days of public mourning and offer my condolences to the dear people of Iran,” Khamenei said in a statement.

The Iranian leader also confirmed Mohammad Mokhber as the acting president of the country. Iran now has a maximum period of 50 days before a presidential election must be held to choose Raisi’s successor. “Mokhber will manage the executive branch and is obliged to arrange with the heads of the legislative and judicial branches to elect a new president within a maximum of 50 days,” Khamenei said.

Difficulties in search and rescue

On Monday morning, relief workers located the missing helicopter after an hours-long search through the night and foggy weather conditions and transported the dead bodies.

The site of the crash was located with the help of drones. Turkish Defense Ministry promptly assigned the Akinci UAV, along with a helicopter equipped with high-level night vision capabilities and rescue personnel to aid in search and rescue efforts. Drone videos and images shown on state media showed the crash site on a steep, tree-covered hillside.

Iranian President Raisi and other officials missing after their helicopter was forced to make a “hard landing” in mountainous and forested terrain.

Search efforts that were hampered by dense fog and rain now face severe challenges as night falls, delaying access to the site. pic.twitter.com/g6wVR3ouCk

— IRIA (@IRIA_Research) May 19, 2024

Earlier, Iranian government spokesman Ali Bahadori Jahromi acknowledged that rescue teams were “experiencing difficult and complicated conditions” in the search. “It is the right of the people and the media to be aware of the latest news about the president’s helicopter accident, but considering the coordinates of the incident site and the weather conditions, there is ‘no’ new news whatsoever until now,” he wrote on Twitter. “In these moments, patience, prayer, and trust in relief groups are the way forward.”

“There will be no disruptions” – Khamenei

Soon after the reports of the crash emerged, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei urged the public to pray. “We hope that God the Almighty returns the dear president and his colleagues in full health to the arms of the nation,” Khamenei said, drawing an “amen” from the audience he was addressing.

“The Iranian nation must not be concerned or worried, there will be no disruption in the work of the country,” he added.

Iran’s religious figure and former head of the judiciary, 63-year-old Raisi has often been mentioned as a potential successor to the 85-year-old Khamenei.

Eveyone should pray for the health of these people who are serving the Iranian nation. The nation doesn't need to be worried or anxious as the administration of the country will not be disrupted at all.

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) May 19, 2024

World leaders react to helicopter crash and death of Iranian President

World leaders have expressed their condolences on the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

Turkiye: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed that he is “deeply saddened” by the helicopter crash involving his “brother” Ebrahim Raisi. Erdogan remembered Raisi with “respect and gratitude” and offered his deepest condolences over the Iranian president’s death. “As Turkiye, we will stand by our neighbor Iran in these difficult and sad times, as we have done many times,” he said in a post on X.

Azerbaijan: Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, who was the last notable figure to see Raisi before the incident, expressed deepest condolences over Raisi’s tragic death, saying the people of Azerbaijan share the grief of the people of Iran. In a message to Ayatollah Khamenei, he said that . “We are deeply shocked by the grievous loss that has befallen the brotherly and friendly Islamic Republic of Iran and its people.”

Malaysia: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he was “deeply saddened” by the news. “His dedication to justice, peace, and the upliftment of the ummah [the Islamic community] was truly inspiring. We committed ourselves to bolstering Malaysia-Iran relations, working together for the betterment of our people and the Muslim world. Our pledge will be fulfilled,” Ibrahim said.

Pakistan: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared a day of mourning in Pakistan. “May the martyred souls rest in heavenly peace. The great Iranian nation will overcome this tragedy with customary courage,” he said.

China: Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolences to Iran, mourning the death of Raisi, saying “His unfortunate passing is a big loss for the Iranian people, and China has lost a good friend.” In a statement, Xi said Raisi has greatly contributed to peace and stability in Iran and played an important role in consolidating the China-Iran strategic partnership, the ministry said.

Russia: Russian President Vladimir Putin called Raisi an “outstanding” leader. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed condolences over the death of two top officials he called “reliable friends” of Russia. “Their role in strengthening mutually beneficial Russian-Iranian cooperation and trusting partnership is invaluable,” Lavrov said.

UAE: Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said on a social media platform: “I extend my deepest condolences to the Iranian government and people over the passing of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and those accompanying them following a tragic accident.” UAE has mended ties with Tehran after years of rift.

Saudi Arabia: Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz has expressed his condolences in a message to the new acting Iranian President Mokhber. “As we send you and the brotherly people of the Islamic Republic of Iran our deepest and sincere condolences, let us ask God Almighty to cover them with His vast mercy and forgiveness, and to grant them peace,” the Saudi Press Agency reported. “May his soul rest in peace. We belong to God and to Him we shall return.”

Qatar: Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, called the news “painful”, expressing his “sincere condolences to the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

EU: President of the European Council, Charles Michel, expressed “sincere condolences” over the death. Josep Borrell, the bloc’s foreign policy chief, also offered his condolences, saying that “The EU expresses its sympathies to the families of all the victims and to the Iranian citizens affected.” Leaders of European countries have so far made no comments on the death.

Regional countries offer support

Turkey said that it is sending search and rescue equipment to help find the Iranian president and foreign minister. A night vision search and rescue helicopter, 32 personnel, and six vehicles have been sent to Iran, the Turkish disaster management agency AFAD said. A further 15 rescuers have been placed on alert in case they are needed. Turkish President Erdogan stated that Turkey was in full contact with Iranian authorities and prepared to provide any necessary support.

Azerbaijan President Aliyev said he was “deeply troubled” by the news and added that “As a neighbor, friend, and brotherly country, the Republic of Azerbaijan stands ready to offer any assistance needed.”

The European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, announced that the Commission has activated its satellite mapping service to assist in the search efforts, following a request for help from Iran. The Copernicus Emergency Management Service supplies mapping products based on satellite imagery.

Upon Iranian request for assistance we are activating the 🇪🇺's @CopernicusEMS rapid response 📡 mapping service in view of to the helicopter accident reportedly carrying the President of #Iran and its foreign minister. #EUSolidarity

— Janez Lenarčič (@JanezLenarcic) May 19, 2024

Saudi Arabia also stated its deep concerns and offered its help in the rescue operation for the Iranian President. “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirms that it stands by the Islamic Republic of Iran during these difficult circumstances and is prepared to provide any assistance the Iranian services need,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The Iraqi government said in a statement it had instructed its interior ministry, the Red Crescent, and other relevant bodies to offer help to neighboring Iran in the search mission.

Biden calls urgent meeting

U.S. President Joe Biden returned to the White House from his vacation and called an urgent briefing following news of an accident involving the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

The U.S. is “closely watching” reports of the helicopter crash involving Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, a US State Department spokesperson said without elaborating further on what would be discussed in the emergency meeting.