Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian have been declared dead after their helicopter crashed on Sunday, Reuters reported, citing Iranian officials.
Over 12 hours later, rescuers located the wreckage of the helicopter on Monday morning. However, local media reported that ‘no sign of life’ was detected at the crash site.
Iran’s state TV has confirmed that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir Abdullahian and other passengers were killed in Sunday’s helicopter crash.
Rescue officials said there were “no signs of life” at the helicopter crash site.#Iran #IbrahimRaisi #ایران… pic.twitter.com/RkTpruzI4N
— Arslan Ishaque (@ArslanIshaque19) May 20, 2024
According to the Mehr news agency, all passengers aboard the helicopter were reported as “martyred,” including the country’s foreign minister and other officials.
Aged 63, Ebrahim Raisi was known as an ultraconservative cleric. His presidency coincided with mass civil protests in Iran. Ebrahim Raisi assumed office as Iran’s eighth president following his victory in the 2021 elections. There were expectations that he would eventually succeed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on Raisi’s death on Twitter saying, “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. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow.”
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
