Iran’s President, Foreign Minister die in helicopter crash

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian died in a helicopter crash, according to state-run Press TV.

Iran’s Minister of Interior Ahmed Vahidi said today, May 20, that the rescuers at the site of the crashed helicopter, in the northwestern region of Iran, did not find any signs of life, after a search that continued through the night in the mountainous area shrouded in dense fog.

The helicopter was said to be carrying Raisi, Amir Abdollahian, and others.

The minister added that drones, along with search and rescue teams were used to locate the helicopter because the heavy fog and bad weather made the work difficult.

Raisi's helicopter was lost about half an hour after take-off, CNBC reported, citing Iranian Vice President for Executive Affairs Mohsen Mansouri.

Raisi was returning to the country after opening a dam on the common border between Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan when his helicopter crashed upon landing in northern Iran. The convoy included three helicopters, two of which landed safely.