Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences on Monday following the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the life of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.
In a social media post on platform X, PM Modi acknowledged President Raisi’s significant contributions to enhancing the bilateral relationship between India and Iran.
“Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His efforts to strengthen the India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran during this time of sorrow,” PM Modi tweeted.
According to state media Press TV, the helicopter carrying President Raisi and his delegation crashed on Sunday in the Dizmar forest, situated between Varzaqan and Jolfa in East Azarbaijan Province.
Among the passengers were Iran’s Foreign Minister, Amir-Abdollahian, East Azarbaijan Governor, Malek Rahmati, Friday Prayers leader of Tabriz, Seyyed Mohammad Ali Al-e Hashem, and a member of the president’s security team, Mahdi Mousavi. The helicopter’s pilot, co-pilot, and crew were also aboard.
Nine individuals were reported to be on the helicopter, which crashed in northwest Iran, according to Tasnim News.
President Raisi and his delegation were returning from an event to inaugurate a dam on the Aras River with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.
Following news of the fatalities, the Iranian cabinet convened an emergency session chaired by Vice President Mohammad Mokhber, as reported by Press TV.
The helicopter encountered heavy fog on Sunday afternoon while en route to Tabriz, leading to the tragic accident.
An Al Jazeera reporter commented, “Considering the wreckage of the helicopter, the chances of survival in such an accident appear minimal. The entire cabin of the helicopter appears to have been severely burned.”
Iranian authorities stated that some bodies were badly charred, making identification difficult at the crash site.
Drone footage released by the Red Crescent and carried by state media showed the crash site on a steep, wooded hillside, with little remaining of the helicopter beyond its blue and white tail, CNN reported.
