Iran President Ebrahim Raisi dies in chopper crash

2024 Iran Presidential helicopter crash: Iran President Ebrahim Raisi has diedin the chopper crash,confirmed the local mediaquotingDeputy President of Executive AffairsMohsen Mansouri, who said"To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return..."

The people who died in the crash on Sunday (May 19) in north-western Iran,included the country's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and 9 others.

Among thekilled in the crash also included East Azerbaijan Province Governor Malek Rahmati.Medics had said that they found “no signs” of life at the crash site and that all on the aircraft were killed.

Iranian state TV said that there is 'no sign of life' at the crash site of the helicopter carrying63-year-old Raisi. This comes as rescue teams scurrying for the aircraft spotted it from a distance, as per an official who spoke with Iranian state media.

2024 Iran Presidential helicopter crash

While suggesting that the situation is "not good",Red Crescent chief Pirhossein Koolivand earlier said,"The helicopter has been found. Now, we are moving toward the helicopter."

A Turkish drone - Bayraktar Akinci - involved in the search for President Raisi's helicopter has detected a heat source, reports said citing Anadolu news agency.Turkey provided thecoordinates of this location to the Iranian authorities, the report added.

Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) reportedly said that the images captured by the Turkish drone were assessed. Rescue forces are anticipated to arrive at the location identified by the drone within the next half hour, IRIB further added.

Chief of the Red Crescent in Iran's East Azerbaijan province stated that rescue teams are being dispatched to the identified area, to continuetheir search efforts to locate the missing plane carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

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This area is reportedlythe crash site and is located in an area called Tavil.Iran's Press TV additionally confirmed that rescue teams are en route to this location.

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As per reports citingflight-tracking websites, the drone's route was seen in north-western Iran.

US leader reacts to Raisi's plane crash

US Senator Chuck Schumerciting discussions with US intelligence officials, said that "at this point there is no evidence of foul play".

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"It was very bad foggy weather in north-west Iran where the copter crashed, so it looks like an accident but it's still being fully investigated," he reportedly said at a presser.

(With inputs from agencies)