THE President of Iran and several top officials were declared dead a day after their helicopter crashed in a foggy and mountainous area in the northwest part of the country.
More than 60 rescue teams, including the army, Revolutionary Guard forces, and police helped with the search efforts.
The harsh weather conditions and heavy fog significantly affected the rescue mission.
The aircraft lost contact about 30 minutes after taking off on Sunday.
The helicopter crashed while flying in northern Iran’s East Azerbaijan province.
The president was flying with several high-ranking officials including Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian.
All nine people onboard were believed to be dead as rescuers retrieved the charred wreckage of the aircraft.
Raisi, who served as Iran’s former chief justice, was elected the country’s President in 2021.
63-year-old Raisi was eyed as a potential successor of 85-year-old Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei who currently holds the highest position in the country.
The Supreme Leader declared Iran’s first vice president, Mohammad Mokhber, as the country’s acting president on Monday until elections are held.
The dead bodies were transferred to the city of Tabriz where the President and his companions were supposed to visit before the fatal crash.
After undergoing autopsy in Tabriz, the bodies will be transferred to the country’s capital, Tehran, where a funeral attended by state dignitaries and the public will be held for them to pay their respects.
