Iranian Media and Officials Report Difficult Emergency Landing of Helicopter Carrying Iranian President Raisi and Foreign Minister Abdullahian in Northeast Iran
Iranian media and officials announced on Sunday that a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Amir Abdullahian made a “difficult emergency landing” in northeast Iran.
According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, reports indicated that the helicopter carrying the Iranian President Raisi and Foreign Minister Abdullahian encountered an incident during its flight in East Azerbaijan Province.
Iranian media reports stated that the helicopter also included the Friday Imam of Tabriz, Ayatollah Hashem, who is also the Deputy Supreme Leader of Iran, Foreign Minister Amir Hossein Abdullahian, the Governor of East Azerbaijan, Malek Rahmati, and several other officials.
IRNA reported that 16 rescue teams were dispatched to the accident site, but unfavorable weather conditions, particularly dense fog, are hindering the search and rescue operation, potentially delaying their arrival at the helicopter.
In a statement, Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi explained that President Raisi and his entourage were returning after the inauguration of the “Qiz Qalasi” dam when the helicopter was forced to land due to poor weather conditions.
Vahidi confirmed that rescue teams had been sent to the area, noting that geographical difficulties and complex weather conditions are impeding communications and delaying the rescue teams’ access to the accident site.
The convoy accompanying the president consisted of three helicopters, with two helicopters carrying some ministers and officials, including the Ministers of Energy and Transportation, arriving safely at their destination.
As time passes and night falls, finding the Iranian president becomes more challenging, but rescue teams will continue their search efforts.
President Raisi visited East Azerbaijan Province on Sunday, where he and the Azerbaijani president inaugurated the “Qiz Qalasi” dam, a joint project between the two countries.
source: lualuatv