Iranian state television said Monday there is “no sign of life” seen at the crash site of a helicopter that was carrying President Ebrahim Raisi and others. The site was across a steep valley and rescuers had yet to reach it, state media reported. As the sun rose Monday, rescuers saw the helicopter from a distance of some 2 kilometres, the head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, Pir Hossein Kolivand, told state media. Read our blog to see how all the day's events unfolded.
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- Iran state TV says there is "no sign of life" at the crash site of the helicopter that was carrying President Ebrahim Raisi and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
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The helicopter was subject to a “hard landing” incident on Sunday as it was crossing mountain terrain in heavy fog in the East Azerbaijan province.
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The governor of Iran's East Azerbaijan province and other officials and bodyguards were also traveling in the helicopter.
- Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday evening urged Iranians “not to worry” about the accident, saying it would be no disruption in the country’s work.
- Iran’s Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber on Sunday also left Tehran for Tabriz, which is also located in the East Azerbaijan province. According to the Iranian constitution, Mokhber is slated to take over the country’s presidential duties in the event of Raisi’s death.
