Iranian media: “Difficult landing” for President Ebrahim Raisi’s helicopter in the northwest of the country

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Iranian media and officials reported on Sunday that a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi made a “hard landing” in East Azerbaijan province.

According to the Iranian Tasnim Agency, “some reports indicated that the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was involved in an accident in East Azerbaijan Province.”

The agency reported that some of the Iranian president's companions in this helicopter were able to contact the center, and thus hopes are increasing that this incident will end without loss of life.

This convoy included 3 helicopters, and two helicopters carrying some ministers, including the Ministers of Energy and Transportation, and officials, arrived safely at their destination.

According to Iranian media, the Friday Imam of Tabriz, Ayatollah Hashem, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdullahian, East Azerbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati, and a number of other officials were on board the helicopter carrying the Iranian president.

IRNA reported that 16 rescue teams were sent to the area, but due to the lack of roads and unfavorable weather conditions, especially heavy fog, the search and rescue operation is expected to take some time.

Iranian Interior Minister Ahmed Vahidi said that after the opening of the Qiz Qala Si Dam, Raisi and his accompanying delegation were on their way back in several helicopters, one of which was forced to make a difficult emergency landing due to bad weather conditions and the situation in the region.

Wahidi indicated that rescue teams had been sent to the area, "but due to the fog in the area, it may take some time to reach the helicopter."

He added: "We have communicated with the president's companions, but because the area is complex, some communications are difficult, and we are waiting for the rescue teams to arrive at the accident area, land the helicopter, and provide us with information."

Iranian agencies indicated that Raisi visited East Azerbaijan Province on Sunday, where he opened with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev the Qiz Qalasi Dam, which is a joint project between Iran and Azerbaijan.