Brussels 19.05.2024 The European Union has responded to the request of the government of Iran, and started to search for the missing helicopter with President Ebrahim Raisi on board.
“Upon Iranian request for assistance we are activating the EU’s Copernicus EMS /Copernicus Emergency Management Service/ rapid response for mapping service in view of to the helicopter accident reportedly carrying the President of Iran and its foreign minister”, the EU Commissioner Janez Lenarčič wrote on his Twitter page. European Commissioner for Crisis Management top civil servant reacted promptly and willingly to offer aid in ongoing search operations, which so far have not produced any result.
At present rescuers are attempting to locate the helicopter on which President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian were traveling, Iran state media reported.
The aircraft abruptly came down in Iran’s East Azerbaijan Province, a massive search effort has been undertaken. Emergency crews have so far has been unable to reach the crash site amid thick fog in mountain area, IRNA said.
Iranian armed forces have been in the area since the early hours of Sunday, Chief of Staff of Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri said, deploying drones and dozens of rescue teams.
A helicopter carrying Raeisi, Amir-Abdollahian, East Azarbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati, Friday Prayers leader of Tabriz city Mohammad Ali Al-e Hashem and several other passengers made a hard landing in East Azarbaijan, Press TV informs.
The incident happened when the helicopter encountered weather difficulties and was forced to make a “hard landing.”
President of the European Council Charles Michel reacted to reports about the incident on X, formerly Twitter.
“Following closely reports that the helicopter carrying the Iranian President and the foreign minister has been forced to land unexpectedly and their condition not yet clear,” Michel said.
He added, “Together with EU member states and partners, we are monitoring the situation closely.”
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