Iran President Helicopter Crash: Raisi Declared Dead In Chopper Crash; World Leaders Express Grief

Iran President Helicopter Crash: A chopper carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi experienced a 'hard landing' on Sunday following which president Raisi has been declared dead. The chopper was reported missing for over 12 hours ago. Along with Raisi, the country's foreign minister and other officials were also on board. A massive rescue operation was underway in a foggy forest area. The incident occurred while returning from a visit to the border with Azerbaijan in northwest Iran, about 600 kilometres from its capital Tehran.

12.00 PM: Pakistan PM Expresses Condolence

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the country will observe a day of mourning and fly its flag at half-mast in honor of demise of President Raisi and other ministers, in a helicopter crash in Iran.

10.58 AM: Iran Government Cabinet Convened Urgent Meeting

As per a report by state news agency IRNA, after the death of the Iranian President and the minister of foreign affairs, the government cabinet convened an urgent meeting.

10.50 AM: EAM Jaishankar Says, Deeply Shocked

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on his post on 'X' shared his condolence over the death of Raisi, he said, "Deeply shocked to hear of the passing away of Iran’s President Dr Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister H. Amir-Abdollahian in the helicopter crash. Recall my many meetings with them, most recently in January 2024. Our condolences to their families. We stand with the people of Iran at time of this tragedy."

Deeply shocked to hear of the passing away of Iran’s President Dr Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister H. Amir-Abdollahian in the helicopter crash.

Recall my many meetings with them, most recently in January 2024.

Our condolences to their families. We stand with the people of…

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) May 20, 2024

10.33 AM: PM Modi Expresses Grief

In a post on social media 'X', PM Modi expressed shock and grief over the sudden demise of Iranian President Raisi. He wrote, "Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His contribution to strengthening India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran."

Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His contribution to strengthening India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran.… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 20, 2024

10.25 AM: President Raisi Alongwith Others Martyred In Aviation Incident

Along with President Raisi several other ministers including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, East Azarbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati, East Azarbaijan Imam of Friday Prayer Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, were on board the helicopter. All of them died in the air crash incident.

09.12 AM: The Wreckage Of Crashed Helicopter Of Iranian President | Video

The footage shows the moment the president's helicopter wreckage was found by the volunteer drone team of the Relief & Rescue Organization of the Red Crescent pic.twitter.com/xJ3qCdUi9t — IRNA News Agency (@IrnaEnglish) May 20, 2024

09.04 AM: Vice-President Of Iran Likely To Take Charge

According to the Iranian constitution, if the president dies, the vice first president,  currently Mohammad Mokhber, will assume temporary presidency, subject to confirmation by the supreme leader and a new presidential election must be held within 50 days

08.31 AM: Raisi Declared Dead In Chopper Crash

As per Iranian media, minutes after the debris of the helicopter was located, Iranian President Raisi was declared dead. The Iran foreign minister who was also onboard has been declared dead.

#BigBreaking : सबसे बड़ी खबर: ईरान के राष्ट्रपति इब्राहिम रईसी की हेलीकॉप्टर क्रैश में मौत की खबर, हादसे वाली झगह मिला हेलीकॉप्टर का मलबा, दुनिया के लिए दुखद खबर #Iran #EbrahimRaisí #Tehran #HelicopterCrash | #ZeeNews@anuraagmuskaan@ShobhnaYadava@JournoPranay pic.twitter.com/pgOOOeo1Hq — Zee News (@ZeeNews) May 20, 2024

08.25 AM: Crashed Helicopter of Iranian President Found

The rescue team has found the debris of the Helicopter after it crashed in the mountains yesterday. While the search team has yet to reach the crash site, the debris has been located using another helicopter being used for search and rescue operations. However, there is no update on the whereabouts of the President. If reports are to be believed, the survival chances are very low given the crash conditions and the rough terrain.

08.14 AM: People in Hamadan locatred in western Iran prayed for the health of the President and other officials, who were on board.

A group of people from Hamadan, western #Iran prayed for the health of the President and his accompanying delegation. pic.twitter.com/vfQ9axGZ4k — IRNA News Agency (@IrnaEnglish) May 20, 2024

08.03 AM: Location Of Crash Site Of Prez Raisi Determined: Reports

Location of crash site of Pres. Raisi’s chopper determined: Sourcehttps://t.co/6mWrIRVVJj pic.twitter.com/sAkjeXgTeH — IRNA News Agency (@IrnaEnglish) May 20, 2024

According to a Reuters report citing an Iranian official, the search team is struggling to reach the crash site. The official stated that the lives of Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian are "at risk following the helicopter crash." 

Iran’s Ambassador, Kazem Jalali informed that the Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with him in the presence of senior officials of Russian defense and security apparatus, reported IRNA. Putin’s assistant also showcased solidarity with the nation and said that Russia is standing by Iran with all its power. 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern on the incident, PM Modi in ‘X’ post, wrote, “Deeply concerned by reports regarding President Raisi’s helicopter flight today. We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people in this hour of distress, and pray for well being of the President and his entourage.”