Iran helicopter incident latest: Rescuers search for Iran’s president after crash
Key points
- A helicopter carrying Iran’s president has been involved in a “hard landing” during bad weather – state media
President Ebrahim Raisi was travelling across the far northwest of Iran following a visit to Azerbaijan
Rescue efforts hampered by fog and heavy rain Live reporting by Jess Sharp
15:59:03 Iranians urged to pray for president
Iranians have been urged to pray for the safety of President Ebrahim Raisi after he was involved in a helicopter incident.
State TV channels have been airing prayers this afternoon.
IRNA said the helicopter in question had been carrying Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and local officials.
15:55:31 What do we know so far?
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister has made a rough landing while crossing a mountainous area, state media has reported.
President Ebrahim Raisi was travelling across the far northwest of Iran following a visit to Azerbaijan for the inauguration of a dam with the country’s president, Ilham Aliyev.
The president was said to be travelling with foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, the governor of East Azerbaijan province and other officials.
Interior Minister Ahmed Vahidi told state TV that one of the helicopters in a group of three had come down hard, and that authorities were awaiting further details.
Initially, state media said the “hard landing” happened near Jolfa, about 375 miles (600km) northwest of Tehran, but then put it further east near the village of Uzi.
Rescue teams have been sent to the area, but bad weather has reportedly complicated their efforts.
15:48:43 Welcome to our live coverage
A helicopter carrying Iran’s president has been involved in a “hard landing” during bad weather, Iranian state media has reported.
President Ebrahim Raisi was travelling across the far northwest of Iran following a visit to Azerbaijan.
Rescue teams are trying to reach the scene but are reportedly being hampered by fog and heavy rain.
State media initially said it happened near Jolfa, about 375 miles (600km) northwest of Tehran, but then put it further east near the village of Uzi.
We’ll be bringing you all the latest updates…
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