
The second preliminary report into the crash that killed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has found no evidence of sabotage.
The report released on Wednesday (May 29) by the Iranian General Staff examined the remains and parts of Raisi's helicopter and found no signs of electronic warfare intervention or sabotage, reportedTürkiye's state run-news agency, Anadolu.
"The occurrence of an explosion as a result of an act of sabotage during the flight and moments before the helicopter crashed into the mountain is ruled out," it said, adding "no signs of an act of electronic warfare were detected on the helicopter."
The second report by Iranian General Staff has concluded that there was "no malfunction" in the communication system until 69 seconds before the accident.
It emphasisedthat no emergency had been reported during communication with the crew, which had been maintained on the specified frequencies.
The report also looked into the helicopter's maintenance and repair records and found no issue that could have played a role in the accident.
Furthermore, the number of passengers onboard the aircraft was also found to be "consistent with the weight standards" typically observed for such flights.
While the report notes that the weather conditions were suitable when the helicopter took off, the effect of the weather conditions on the return route — in line with the documents obtained and the statements of the pilots and passengers of the other two helicopters — should be investigated in more detail, it adds.
The Iranian General Staff has assured the public that the investigations will continue until the actual cause of the accident is found.
On Sunday (May 19), a US-made Bell 212 helicopter carrying Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and six other passengers and crew crashed in mountains near the Azerbaijan border. Its charred remains were found early on Monday (May 20).
(With inputs from agencies)