Rescue teams discovered the charred wreckage of the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and several other high-ranking government officials after more than 10 hours of searching the rugged terrain in near zero visibility.
There were no survivors.
Search-and-Rescue Teams have begun to Extract several Bodies from the Crash Site of Late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's Helicopter in Northwestern Iran; however, the Combination of Rain and the Steep Terrain is making it Difficult for Teams to reach the Road. pic.twitter.com/TXeu62RPpB
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) May 20, 2024
Many considered Raisi, a hardliner in Tehran who ruthlessly suppressed dissent throughout his career, as a likely successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran launched an unprecedented strike involving ballistic missiles and suicide drones against Israel last month.
Hamas has released a Statement in which they give their Condolences to the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei as well as the rest of the Nation for the Death of President Ebrahim Raisi alongside the other 8 Senior Iranian Officials who Died in yesterday's Helicopter Crash; with…
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) May 20, 2024
A senior Israeli official told Reuters that Israel was not involved in Sunday's crash.
Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, along with six other passengers and crew, also died in the incident.
Khamenei announced Monday that the Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will serve as the acting president until elections can be held.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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