Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that he was “deeply concerned” by the reports of crash of the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian.
News agency Reuters, quoting officials, reported that the lives of Raisi and Amirabdollahian were “at risk following the helicopter crash”, which happened on Sunday evening while the two were on their way back from a visit to the border with Azerbaijan in Iran’s northwest.
“Deeply concerned by reports regarding President Raisi’s helicopter flight today. We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people in this hour of distress, and pray for well being of the President and his entourage,” PM Modi tweeted.
Reportedly, the mishap happened as the chopper was crossing mountain terrain in heavy fog and rescuers are currently struggling to reach the site of the incident.
“We are still hopeful but information coming from the crash site is very concerning,” an official told Reuters.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Staff of Iran Army has ordered all the resources of the army and the elite Revolutionary Guard to be put to use in search and rescue operations.
Initially, it was reported that the helicopter had made a “hard landing.” However, news agency IRNA later claimed that the helicopter “suffered a crash” and there is no information available yet on potential injuries or damage.
There were three helicopters in Raisi’s convoy, two of which were carrying ministers and officials, and they arrived at their destination safely.
Article source: indiatoday.in
