EXPLAINER
A helicopter carrying Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi and foreign minister crashed while traveling back from eastern Azerbaijan.
The world is watching as Iran mobilizes emergency teams to search for President Ebrahim Raisi, whose helicopter – which was traveling in a train – crashed in a remote area near Jolfa, in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province.
He was returning from Iran’s border with Azerbaijan, where he and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev inaugurated a cooperative dam project, the latest sign of warming relations between the two countries. Twenty rescue teams and drones were sent to the area where the helicopter crashed.
Information is slowly emerging about this incident, but here’s what we know so far.
What happened?
Reports of a helicopter crashing into the president’s convoy first circulated on social media and were quickly picked up by local media. An initial report by state news website Mehr said that Raisi chose to travel to Tabriz by car due to fog and that he was safe.
The news was later taken down after state television confirmed that the missing helicopter was carrying Raisi and other officials. State television said the helicopter suffered a “forced landing”.
Who was in the helicopter?
Traveling with Ebrahim Raisi were Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Governor of East Azerbaijan Province Malek Rahmati and Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, the representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at the East Azerbaijan, according to state media.
Are all three helicopters gone?
No, two of the three helicopters in the president’s convoy managed to return safely to the city of Tabriz.
Energy Minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian and Housing and Transport Minister Mehrdad Bazrpash were in the helicopters that managed to return safely.
What is the problem? Why can’t they find the helicopter passengers?
Rescue teams were trying to reach the scene, state TV said, saying that in addition to dozens of rescuers, there were several ambulances and drones deployed in the search.
However, all efforts were hampered by poor weather conditions, with heavy rain and fog reported with some wind.
The IRNA news agency said the area was a “forest” that was difficult to access.
How are people feeling? What are they saying?
After the news of the disappearance of President Raisi’s helicopter was confirmed, appeals were made to Iranians to pray for his safety and the safety of those accompanying him on the aircraft.
The government has not made many statements because there are still many details that are not clear.
Was there something wrong with your helicopter?
There is still no confirmation on what type of helicopter was transporting Raisi and his entourage. They could have been army helicopters or Red Crescent aircraft.
Iran operates a number of helicopters, but many date back to before the country’s 1979 Islamic revolution. Due to sanctions and financial constraints, Iran has had difficulty acquiring spare parts, making maintenance a challenge.
Who is in charge of Iran while the president is missing?
Vice President Mohammad Mokhber, 69, will assume power in Raisi’s absence or while he recovers, if necessary.
Head of trustees tasked with overseeing the execution of Ayatollah Khamenei’s orders since 2007, Mokhber holds a doctorate in international law.
This story originally appeared on Aljazeera.com read the full story
