2024 Varzaqan helicopter crash

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2024 Varzaqan helicopter crash
The helicopter involved in the incident leaving Khudafarin
Accident
Date19 May 2024; 15 days ago (2024-05-19), ≈ 1:30 p.m.
SiteVarzaqan, Iran
Aircraft
Aircraft typeBell 412
Flight originKhudafarin, Iran
DestinationTabriz, Iran
PassengersAt least 5
Crew1+
MissingAt least 6

On 19 May 2024, a Bell 412 helicopter crashed in Varzaqan, Iran, while en route to Tabriz.[1] The helicopter was carrying Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi, foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, governor of East Azerbaijan Malek Rahmati, and Supreme Leader representative in East Azerbaijan Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem. The condition of the passengers has not been disclosed.

The incident took place while Raisi was traveling in Iran's East Azerbaijan province, near the city of Jolfa, situated on the border with Azerbaijan.[2][3] Iranian TV reports that rescue operations are encountering difficulties due to the dense forest terrain, compounded by adverse weather conditions such as heavy rain, fog, and strong winds.[2] To aid in the search for the helicopter, drones, search-and-rescue teams, and specially trained dogs have been mobilized.[4]

Background

Earlier on 19 May, Raisi had been in Azerbaijan to inaugurate the Qiz Qalasi dam, alongside President Ilham Aliyev. This dam marks the third collaborative project between Iran and Azerbaijan on the Aras River.[2][5]

According to Iranian law, in the event of the president's death, the first vice president (currently Muhammad Mukhbar) temporarily replaces him, and election must be conducted within six months.[1]

Accident

On 19 May 2024, a helicopter carrying Raisi, foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, governor of East Azerbaijan Malek Rahmati, and Supreme Leader representative in East Azerbaijan Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem[6] departed with two other helicopters in a convoy to Tabriz.[1] At approximately 13:30 IRST, the helicopter carrying Raisi crashed[1] shortly after some passengers issued an emergency message. Energy Minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian and Housing and Transportation Minister Mehrdad Bazrpash, who were traveling in the other two helicopters, subsequently arrived safely.[7]

Conflicting reports said that the helicopter crashed either near Jolfa, or east of the village of Uzi.[8] The helicopter's exact location and condition has not been disclosed.[2] According to IRNA, based on accounts from residents, the helicopter crashed in the Dizmar Forest region, situated between Uzi and Pir Davood. Inhabitants in the northern Varzaqan area of East Azerbaijan Province reported hearing sounds emanating from the vicinity.[1]

Response

Major-General Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of the Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces, ordered all its branches to deploy its full resources towards rescue operations.[7] Heavy fog affected search-and-rescue operations in Varzaqan.[4] According to The Guardian, search-and-rescue teams were expected to reach the site of the crash by 20:00.[9] By 20:39, Iranian forces were near the site of the crash.[10] Forty rescue teams from the Iranian Red Crescent,[7] along with drones, were sent to the area of the crash; there is significant concern that the presence of wild animals in the zone could further endanger Raisi if injured.[11] According to The Guardian, officials made contact with a passenger and a crew member.[12]

By 9:46 p.m., the helicopter was located.[13]

The Iranian government cancelled a cabinet meeting.[14] Senior officials and members of the Supreme National Security Council travelled to Tabriz.[15]

Reactions

Domestic

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, in asking the nation for prayer, said that "if the people of Iran do not worry, there will be no disruption in the work of the country".[16]

Prayers for Raisi were held.[1] State-run television aired prayers for Raisi and Fars News Agency encouraged viewers to pray for Raisi's safety.[16]

International

The United States Department of State stated it was aware of the incident. U.S. president Joe Biden was briefed, according to the White House.[17]

Janez Lenarčič, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, announced that the European Union is activating the Copernicus Emergency Management Service rapid response satellite mapping service upon Iranian request.[18] Three of Iran's neighbors, namely Iraq, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, offered assistance for the search.[19][20]

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed "solidarity with the Iranian people in this hour of distress", and prayers for the well-being of Raisi and his entourage.[21]

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed "prayers and best wishes" for Raisi and the Iranian nation.[22]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Fassihi, Farnaz (19 May 2024). "Helicopter Carrying Iran's President Has Crashed, State Media Reports". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d "Helicopter carrying Iran's president suffers a 'hard landing,' state TV says without further details". AP News. 19 May 2024. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Helicopter carrying Iran's president Raisi makes rough landing, says state TV". Reuters. 19 May 2024.
  4. ^ a b Raice, Shayndi; Eqbali, Aresu (19 May 2024). "Iran Says Helicopter Carrying Its President Is Missing After 'Difficult Landing'". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  5. ^ "Qiz-Qalasi Dam symbol of cooperation between Tehran, Baku". Mehr News Agency. 19 May 2024.
  6. ^ "Who was on the missing helicopter?". Al Jazeera Media Network. 19 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Motamedi, Maziar (19 May 2024). "Search under way after helicopter carrying Iran's president Raisi crashes". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  8. ^ Gambrell, Jon (19 May 2024). "Helicopter carrying Iran's president suffers a 'hard landing,' state TV says, and rescue is underway". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  9. ^ "The dispatched rescue teams will reach the probable coordinates of president Raisi's helicopter within half an hour, state media is reporting". The Guardian. 19 May 2024. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  10. ^ Makoii, Akhtar; Abrahams, Jessica (19 May 2024). "Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi 'missing' after helicopter makes hard landing". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  11. ^ Antoinette Radford, Dakin Andone and Matt Meyer (19 May 2024). "Live updates: Iranian President Raisi involved in helicopter crash". CNN. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  12. ^ "Iranian official: Contact made with passenger and crew member". The Guardian. 19 May 2024. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  13. ^ "Crashed helicopter found by search teams, state TV reports". The Guardian. 19 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  14. ^ Fassihi, Farnaz. "The Iranian government has canceled a planned cabinet meeting and convened an emergency meeting with the country's crisis management committee, state media reported". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  15. ^ Fassihi, Farnaz. "Members of Iran's Supreme National Security Committee and senior officials from the government have traveled to Tabriz, the closest major city to the site of the accident, state media reported". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  16. ^ a b Badshah, Nadeem; Lowe, Yohannes; Murray, Jessica; Badshah, Nadeem; Murray, Jessica (19 May 2024). "Helicopter carrying Iran's president crashes in mountains, official says – Middle East live". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  17. ^ "US comments on reports of accident". Al Jazeera. 19 May 2024. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  18. ^ Janez Lenarčič [@JanezLenarcic] (19 May 2024). "Upon Iranian request for assistance we are activating the EU's @CopernicusEMS rapid response 📡 mapping service in view of to the helicopter accident reportedly carrying the President of #Iran and its foreign minister. #EUSolidarity" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  19. ^ Al-Shamahi, Abubakr; Gadzo, Mersiha (19 May 2024). "Iran helicopter accident live news: President Raisi, FM on missing aircraft". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  20. ^ Ministry of Foreign Affairs Armenia [@MFAofArmenia] (19 May 2024). "Shocked by the news coming from #Iran. Our thoughts & prayers are w/President Raisi, Minister @Amirabdolahian & all others reported to be at the site. As rescue operations continue, #Armenia, as a close & friendly neighbor of Iran, is ready to provide all necessary support. @IRIMFA_EN" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  21. ^ Narendra Modi [@narendramodi] (19 May 2024). "Deeply concerned by reports regarding President Raisi's helicopter flight today. We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people in this hour of distress, and pray for well being of the President and his entourage" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  22. ^ Shehbaz Sharif [@CMShehbaz] (19 May 2024). "Heard the distressing news from Iran regarding Hon. President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter. Waiting with great anxiety for good news that all is well. Our prayers and best wishes are with Hon.President Raisi and the entire Iranian nation" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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