Iran president Raisi's aircraft crashes: Russia to deploy 47 rescue specialists, helicopter

Russia is sending a team of 47 rescuers and a helicopter to Iran following a helicopter crash involving 63-year-old Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Sunday (May 19).

It comes as rescuers have been unable to reach the crash site due to heavy fog. According to an Iranian official quoted by Reuters news agency, the helicopter went down while navigating mountainous terrain.

The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations announced their assistance on Monday (May 20).

In a Telegram statement, it said, "At the request of the Iranian side, rescuers from the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations will assist in the search and rescue operation."

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The rescue team includes "47 specialists with the necessary gear and equipment, all-terrain vehicles, as well as a BO-105 helicopter."

The ministry said that specialised equipment was being loaded at Russia’s Zhukovsky airport before it leavefor Tabriz city in the northwest of Iran.

Notably, Raisi was heading back to Tabriz after returning from the border with Azerbaijan.

Raisi was returning from the Iranian-Azerbaijani border after inaugurating a dam project.

About 20 rescue teams have been deployed to the area where the helicopter crashed.

State-linked Mehr News initially reported that Raisi chose to drive to Tabriz due to the foggy conditions.

However, this report was retracted by state television which later confirmed that the helicopter carrying Raisi and other officials was missing after “hard landing.”

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In addition to Raisi and FM Amir-Abdollahian, the helicopter carried East Azerbaijan Province Governor Malek Rahmati and Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, the Supreme Leader's representative to East Azerbaijan, according to state media.

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Ahmad Alirezabeigi, an Iranian MP from Tabriz reportedly said that the other two helicopters inRaisi's convoy landed safely.The crash reportedly occurred in the a wildlife corridor - Dizmar Protected Area - along the border with Azerbaijan.

Turkey sends help

Several countries including Iraq, Armenia, Qatar, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia have offered logistical support.

The European Commission also activated satellite mapping in a bid to aid in the ongoing search efforts.

Turkey on Sunday (May 19) evening dispatched an unmanned drone to assist in the search and rescue operations.

(With inputs from agencies)