Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has tragically passed away following a helicopter crash over the mountains of East Azerbaijan province, amidst dense fog, as reported by Iran’s news media.

A senior Iranian official informed Reuters that President Raisi, along with the foreign minister and other passengers aboard the helicopter, lost their lives in the crash.

Images from the crash site were released by state media nearly 16 hours post-accident, revealing the wreckage perched atop a mountain peak. While the cause of the crash remains uncertain, such incidents are regrettably not uncommon in Iran.

In the aftermath, Iranians flooded the streets to mourn their president, offering prayers as rescuers battled harsh weather conditions to reach the crash site. The search operation, hindered by thick fog and icy terrain, was a challenging endeavor.

Pirhossein Kolivand, the head of Iran’s Red Crescent, informed state TV that upon locating the crash site, no signs of life were found among the helicopter’s occupants.

Prior to the crash, Iranian state media shared footage of President Ebrahim Raisi aboard the helicopter, captured in the Jolfa region of East Azerbaijan province.