PM, EAM mourn deaths of Iranian Prez, FM; India to observe state mourning on Tuesday
Modi said Raisi's contribution to strengthening India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian were killed in a tragic helicopter crash near the East Azerbaijan province of Iran, state media confirmed on Monday.
The helicopter carrying President Raisi, FM Abdollahian along with other officials made a “hard landing” on Sunday afternoon.
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Following the incident, Iran rushed rescue teams to the spot but they could not locate the chopper due to dense fog and difficult weather conditions.
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However, the plane was recovered in the early hours on Monday. There were no signs of life at the crash site.
According to the Iranian media, the helicopter crashed close to a copper mine called Sungun located between Jolfa and Varzaghan in the East Azerbaijan province, roughly 70 km away from the city of Tabriz.
Governor of East Azerbaijan Province Malek Rahmati, and Friday prayers leader of Tabriz Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem were also aboard the helicopter.
Following President Raisi’s death, vice-president Mohammad Mokhbe will run the affairs of the country until an election for a new president takes place.
According to the Constitution of the Islamic Republic, the vice-president is tasked to run the country in case “a president is incapable of executing his duties due to illness, death or impeachment and removal by Parliament.”
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