A helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran crashed on Sunday, according to Iranian state media and the country’s mission to the United Nations, but has yet to be found by search-and-rescue workers because of heavy fog.
It was not immediately known what caused the crash of the helicopter, which was also carrying Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Iran’s foreign minister.
State television did not report on any casualties or confirm the whereabouts or condition of the president, but it urged the public to pray for the safety of Mr. Raisi, 63, and those who were traveling with him. The president’s official website also posted a message requesting prayers.
The state news agency IRNA reported that an enormous search operation involving 20 search and rescue teams, including drones and sniffer dogs, was underway to locate the helicopter. Inclement weather, the reports said, was hampering the effort. The teams had yet to locate the crash site after almost five hours.
“Given the complexities of the region, connection has been difficult, and we are hoping that the rescue teams reach the helicopter and can give us more information,” Ahmad Vahidi, Iran’s interior minister, told state television.
Videos airing on Iranian state television showed rescue teams driving along mountain roads in thick fog and teams walking on green hills wearing red-and-white vests. Rescue dogs were also being dispatched, according to state media…..
Note….
I KNOW what EVERYONE IS thinking…..
As of 22:30 PM local Iranian time, no trace of the helicopter carrying President Raisi has been found.
It has been more than 8 hours since it disappeared.
Something ain’t right with this..:::
There ARE some people in Iran VERY happy with the chopper going down,….