An extensive search and rescue operation is underway after a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was forced to make a “hard landing” in a mountainous region in northwestern Iran. The incident occurred on Sunday in the Dizmar forest between the cities of Varzaqan and Jolfa in East Azerbaijan province, as the president was returning from an event to inaugurate a dam with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.
According to the Iranian news agency IRNA, the helicopter’s passengers included President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahiyan, Ayatollah Al-Hashemi (Imam of Tabriz Mosque and the representative of the Iranian supreme leader to the province), and Governor of East Azerbaijan Province Malik Rahmati. Energy Minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian and Housing and Transportation Minister Mehrdad Bazrpash were in other helicopters that reportedly reached their destination safely.
Local residents reported hearing “sounds” in the region a while ago. More than 20 fully-equipped search and rescue teams, including drones and sniffer dogs, have been dispatched to the area. The Iranian Armed Forces have also deployed commando units and Special Forces to assist in the search operation.
Due to the rugged terrain and difficult weather conditions, particularly thick fog, the search and rescue operation is expected to take some time, according to IRNA’s reporter. The spokesperson for Iran’s Emergency Services told IRNA that eight ambulances have been dispatched to the region, adding that heavy fog has made air rescue efforts impossible. Emergency medical teams consisting of technicians and doctors were deployed immediately after the incident was reported. An emergency helicopter was also dispatched to assist but was forced to turn back due to the heavy fog.
Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi confirmed to national TV that one of the helicopters in the president’s convoy had a hard landing. “Various rescue groups are moving towards the site, but due to the fog and bad weather, it may take time to reach the area. The work is under control,” Vahidi said. He added that there have been contacts with the president’s companions, but the mountainous area has made communication difficult. Local Iranian media reported heavy rain in the Varzaghan District, making it hard for rescue and search teams to navigate in the dense fog.