Helicopter carrying Iran's president makes "hard landing"

Search operation is taking place in Jolfa area of Iran’s province East Azerbaijan as the helicopter carrying Iran President’s met an accident on Sunday evening.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s helicopter made a “hard landing”, say Iran’s media, and rescue teams are trying to reach the site of the accident. Iran Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has appealed for the prayers. Hard landing is a term used by some countries for plane crash. The reports say Ebrahim Raisi and Iran Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian are missing. European Union has also activated its modern mapping system to provide assistance in search.

Earlier reports cited one of the helicopters in the group carrying the Iran’s president met an accident in Jolfa area of East Azerbaijan. It is unconfirmed whether the helicopter was carrying the president or his staff.

The semi official agency of Iran Fars News quoting reports stated the helicopter carrying Iranian President, Ayatollah Ale-Hashem the Friday Prayer Leader of Tabriz, Foreign Minister Hossen Amir Abdollahian, Governor of East Azerbaijan province Malek Rahmati and others high officials has been involved in “hard landing” in northeastern Iran.

Rescue efforts are facing delay due to harsh weather condition in the area.

Ebrahim Raisi went to inaugurate a dam at Iran-Azerbaijan border on Sunday morning. He was heading back to the capital Tehran after inaugurating the project along with the President of Azerbaijan.

World leaders including of Pakistan and Azerbaijan have expressed concern over the incident and prayed for Raisi’s safety.