Iran president latest: Ebrahim Raisi’s life ‘at risk’ after helicopter crash

Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi‘s life is at risk after his helicopter crashed in a “very concerning” accident amid heavy fog in northern Iran.

The aircraft had a “rough landing” near Jolfa, the Iranian city on the border of Azerbaijan exclave Nakhchivan, around 600 kilometers (375 miles) northwest of the Iranian capital Tehran.

It was carrying Raisi, 63, and Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian following a visit with the Azerbaijani president to discuss an infrastructure project over the Aras River.

An Iranian official acknowleged their lives were “at risk” and said information coming from the crash site was “very concerning” with 16 teams trying to locate the helicopter.

Pakistan’s prime minister says he is “waiting with great anxiety” for a positive update after Ebrahim Raisi’s helicopter crash.

“Our prayers and best wishes are with Hon President Raisi and the entire Iranian nation,” he added.

It was reported on Sunday afternoon that a helicopter carrying Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister had been involved in a “rough landing” in northern Iran.

It is not exactly clear what a “rough landing” meant, but a local official described it as a crash and and Iranian official went on to acknowledge the passenger’s lives were “at risk” with “very concerning” information coming from the site.

More than 16 teams including ambulances, surgeons, the army, rangers, drones and dogs have been dispatched to the area to find the helicopter but so far foggy weather conditions have slowed down the search.

The crash site is believed to be near Jolfa and Varzaghan, two cities in Iran’s Eastern Azerbaijan province in the north of the country – which borders both Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan, an Azerbaijani exclave.

The aircraft had been travelling back from a visit to an area along the Aras River to discuss the ongoing construction of the Qiz-Qalasi Dam.

Iraq has offered to help Iran in its search and rescue operation, its government has said.

Iraq’s interior ministry, the Red Crescent and other relevant bodies have been instructed to offer their services, it added in a statement.

Rescue teams have been sent to the area of the helicopter crash, but their efforts have been hampered by thick fog and heavy rain.

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi and its foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian have not yet been found.

A search operation including drones, dogs, the army, ambulances and surgeons have been deployed to the crash site in a mountainous area of northern Iran.

Iran’s health minister said: “We have deployed all the medical facilities, ambulance, surgeons, and everyone in the area and we hope to start treatment immediately after the president and his companions are found.

“Unfortunately, due to the harsh weather conditions and very foggy conditions, it is difficult to search.” This is a picture taken from Iranian state TV which show the extent of the weather conditions.

Ambulances and surgeons have been deployed to the crash site but it is difficult to reach because of foggy weather, Iran’s health minister said.

Bahram Eynollahi said: “We have deployed all the medical facilities, ambulance, surgeons, and everyone in the area and we hope to start treatment immediately after the president and his companions are found.

“Unfortunately, due to the harsh weather conditions and very foggy conditions, it is difficult to search.”

More than 20 rescue teams including search dogs and drones have been deployed to find the helicopter crash site, according to Iranian state media.

The Iran Press news agency reported the president’s helicopter crashed between Uzi and Pir Dawood villages in Varzeghan.

Groups of rangers and special forces of the armed forces are also present in the area to help in the search operation being carried out amid heavy fog.

The United States is following reports that a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has crashed in a “very concerning” accident.

“We are closely following reports of a possible hard landing of a helicopter in Iran carrying the Iranian president and foreign minister. We have no further comment at this time,” A US state department spokesperson told The Independent.

An Iranian official has said Tehran is “still hopeful” but information coming from the crash site is “very concerning” after a helicopter carrying president President Ebrahim Raisi crashed amid heavy fog.

The aircraft had a “rough landing” near Jolfa, the Iranian city on the border of Azerbaijan exclave Nakhchivan, around 600 kilometers (375 miles) northwest of the Iranian capital Tehran.

It was carrying Raisi, 63, and Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian following a visit with the Azerbaijani president to discuss an infrastructure project over the Aras River.