Authorities say there is “no sign” on life in the wreckage of a helicopter that was carring the Iranian president over a mountainous area of the country.
Yesterday (May 19), authorities had said President Raisi was “at risk” after this helicopter went down.
But in the early hours of Monday morning, rescuers confirmed they had found the aircraft.
Everyone onboard is feared dead.
“President Raisi’s helicopter was completely burned in the crash… unfortunately, all passengers are feared dead,” an official said.
Tasnim News said on Telegram: “An accident happened to the helicopter carrying the president in East Azerbaijan. Some news reports indicate that the helicopter carrying Ayatollah Raisi, the president, has had an accident in East Azerbaijan.
“However, some of the president’s companions in this helicopter have managed to contact the centre, and thus the hope for the end of this incident without loss of life has increased.”
The helicopter was one of three travelling in a convoy, Tasnim reported, with the other two reaching their destination.