Iran Releases Report on Helicopter Crash That Killed President Ebrahim Raisi
25.05.2024: The General Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces has released a preliminary report on the recent helicopter crash that resulted in the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi and his entourage. According to the report, the helicopter maintained its predetermined course throughout the flight and did not deviate from its route.
The crash site investigation, conducted by a team of experts, specialists, and technicians, commenced promptly on Monday morning. The semi-official Tasnim news agency cited the General Staff’s findings on Friday, highlighting that the helicopter pilot had communicated with the other helicopters in the presidential convoy just a minute and a half before the crash.
Significantly, the investigation found no evidence of bullets or similar items on the wreckage, as reported by Xinhua news agency. The report further noted that after the helicopter collided with the mountain, it caught fire.
The challenging terrain, coupled with fog and low temperatures, hampered search and rescue operations, which persisted into the night. At 5 a.m. local time on Monday, the exact location of the crash was pinpointed with the aid of drones.
There were no irregularities found in the communications between the flight crew and the watchtower. The report mentioned that further details would be disclosed following more in-depth investigations.
President Raisi and his party were traveling to East Azerbaijan province when their helicopter crashed in a mountainous area on Sunday. Among those on board were Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, the representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader to East Azerbaijan.
President Raisi was laid to rest on Thursday at the holy shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad, his hometown in northeastern Iran.