PM Modi, world leaders express deep concern over Iranian President Raisi’s helicopter crash

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern over Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter crash that took place on Sunday (May 19).

Taking to his official X account, PM Modi 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."

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A helicopter carrying Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian crashed on Sunday (May 19) as it was crossing a mountainous terrain, an Iranian official told the news agency Reuters.

Iranian state television earlier reported that rescuers are trying to reach the area where the incident occurred, but fog and bad weather are hampering the rescue efforts.

The state TV had also reported that the helicopter suffered a "hard landing".

Raisi was returning from the Khoda Afarin region in Iran’s northwestern province of East Azarbaijan after inaugurating a dam at the common border with the Republic of Azerbaijan, reported Tasnim news agency

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, in his first statement since the news broke out, said, "We hope Almighty God will return the respected, esteemed President and his entourage to the arms of the nation."

'Waiting with great anxiety for good news,' says Pakistan PM

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took to his official X handle and wrote, “Heard the distressing news from Iran regarding Hon. President Seyed Ibrahim Raisi’s helicopter. Waiting with great anxiety for good news that all is well. Our prayers and best wishes are with Hon.President Raisi and the entire Iranian nation."

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari shared a post on social media which said, "Deeply concerned to hear news about the helicopter incident carrying the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Abdullahian & others. My heartfelt prayers & good wishes for the well-being & safety of President Raisi so that he may continue to serve the Iranian nation."

'Profoundly troubled by news,' says President of Azerbaijan

The President of Azerbaijan in a posting on X said, “Today, after bidding a friendly farewell to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, we were profoundly troubled by the news of a helicopter carrying the top delegation crash-landing in Iran. Our prayers to Allah Almighty are with President Ebrahim Raisi and the accompanying delegation. As a neighbour, friend, and brotherly country, the Republic of Azerbaijan stands ready to offer any assistance needed.”

Iraq offers help in search efforts

Iraq offered help to its neighbouring country Iran in the search for Raisi's helicopter.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani "instructed the interior ministry, the Iraqi Red Crescent and other relevant authorities to offer the Islamic Republic of Iran the available resources to aid in the search for the Iranian president's aircraft," government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi said in a statement.

Turkey offers Iran 'all necessary support'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reacting to the incident said that he was "profoundly saddened" by the news of Raisi's helicopter "accident". He further affirmed that his country will provide all the "necessary support" in rescue efforts.

"We are following the incident closely, are in contact and in coordination with the Iranian authorities and we are ready to provide all necessary support," Erdogan posted on X.

Saudi expresses readiness to provide any assistance needed

"We affirm that the Kingdom stands by the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran in these difficult circumstances and its readiness to provide any assistance that the Iranian agencies need," the foreign ministry of the Gulf kingdom said in a statement.

(With inputs from agencies