A Bell 212 helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian crashed in Iran’s mountainous northwest near the Azerbaijan border on Sunday, resulting in their deaths.
Prime Minister Modi Expresses Condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on Twitter, stating he was “shocked by this tragic demise” and acknowledged President Raisi’s contribution to strengthening India-Iran relations.
Details of the Crash
The helicopter was en route from the Iran-Azerbaijan border after a joint dam project was inaugurated. Along with President Raisi and the Foreign Minister, the crash claimed the lives of East Azerbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati and senior cleric Ayatollah Al-Hashem. In total, eight people, including three crew members, were killed. The incident occurred around 1 pm local time near Varzaghan amidst adverse weather conditions and dense fog.
Challenging Search and Rescue Operation
The search and rescue mission, led by the Iranian Red Crescent Society, involved 40 teams working through dense forests and rugged terrain for over 10 hours. Due to the challenging weather, aerial searches using drones were impossible.
Discovery of Wreckage
On Monday, Turkish authorities released drone footage showing a fire in the mountains, suspected to be the helicopter wreckage. The wreckage was found approximately 20 kilometers south of the Azerbaijan-Iran border at an altitude of 4,450 meters. The search area initially covered a 10 square kilometer zone. Rescuers found the burnt-out helicopter with “no signs of life” on the site.
Cause of the Crash
Reports indicate that a sudden weather change in the Dizmar district caused a “hard landing,” which caused the crash. A “hard landing” occurs when an aircraft lands harder and faster than usual due to weather conditions, pilot errors, or mechanical issues. Satellite data confirmed that heavy fog enveloped the crash area starting at 1 pm on May 19.
President raisi’s Legacy
President Raisi, a protege of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was seen as a potential successor within Iran’s Shiite theocracy. According to Article 131 of the Islamic Republic’s Constitution, if a president dies in office, the first vice-president, currently Mohammad Mokhber, takes over with the Supreme Leader’s confirmation. An election for a new president must be held within 50 days.
Heightened Tensions and GPS Interference
Amid heightened tensions with Iran, Israel has reportedly disrupted GPS systems across its central and other regions. Last month, Israel admitted to using GPS blockers, known as spoofing, as a defensive measure in response to threats from Iran and its allies.
Conclusion
The tragic helicopter crash has not only claimed the lives of Iran’s top officials but has also led to a period of political transition and heightened regional tensions. The international community is closely watching the developments following this incident.