A helicopter in a convoy carrying Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi has allegedly crashed in east Azerbaijan, according to several media reports on Sunday seen by IGBERE TV.
Rescuers are trying to reach the site of the “incident”, state television reported on Sunday. There was no immediate elaboration on what happened to the helicopter, nor who was on board.
The country’s finance minister Amir Abdollahian was also reportedly with the president in the helicopter.
As per Tehran Times, there were 3 helicopters in the president’s convoy, two of which safely reached their destination.
Raisi was in east Azerbaijan province to inaugurate the Qiz-Qalasi Dam.
Iran flies a variety of helicopters in the country, but international sanctions make it difficult to obtain parts for them. Its military air fleet also largely dates back to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Raisi, 63, is a hard-liner who formerly led the country’s judiciary. He is viewed as a protégé of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and some analysts have suggested he could replace the 85-year-old leader after his death or resignation from the role.
