Iran’s cabinet holds emergency session after President Raisi’s helicopter crash
- Search under way after Iranian president’s helicopter crashes in the country’s mountainous northwest
- Iran’s first vice-president, Mohammad Mokhber, could become president in the event of Raisi’s death
The first vice-president, Mohammad Mokhber, chaired the meeting in the late evening, state news agency IRNA reported.
He initiated further measures for the rescue operation. According to protocol, Mockber would become president in the event of Raisi’s death.
Rescue workers continued to search on foot after dark for the scene of the helicopter accident, in poor weather conditions.
A total of 65 rescue teams were involved in the search for the helicopter’s crew, including the Iranian armed forces.
The Iranian government asked the rescue services in neighbouring Turkey for assistance in the search. Both Turkey and Russia had offered their help.
In particular, helicopters with night vision equipment were requested.
Meanwhile, special mountain rescue units also arrived in the accident region, IRNA reported.
The the Iranian president’s helicopter came in for what has been called a “hard landing” on Sunday in the north-west of the country after a meeting between Raisi and the president of neighbouring Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev.
