According to CCTV news
Iranian state television
It was reported on the 19th local time
Preliminary reports show:
A helicopter in which Iranian President Raisi was travelling
In the province of East Azerbaijan in the country
A hard landing accident occurred
The report states
The site of the accident is in the province of East Azerbaijan
Near the Warzagan region
According to the commander of the Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran's East Azerbaijan Province, the helicopter signal from which the accident occurred, as well as the mobile phone signal of one of the crew members, were received. At present, a large number of search and rescue personnel are heading to the area where the signal was issued.
△Iranian President Raisi (data map)
In the early morning of the 20th local time
The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on President Raisi was riding
A statement was issued regarding the accident involving the helicopter
The statement said that on the afternoon of the 19th local time, a helicopter carrying the Iranian president, foreign minister and other entourages had an accident in the Varzagan region of East Azerbaijan Province. Despite the bad weather and environment, the rescue team continued to actively search the area of the accident with great hope. Iran is grateful to the Government and international organizations for their humanitarian sentiment and solidarity with the Government and people of Iran, as well as for their help and assistance in the search and rescue operations.
△ Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (data map)
It is understood that the president and his entourage had a total of three helicopters that day, and the other two had arrived safely at their destinations.
According to Iran's official news agency on the 19th local time, about an hour after informing rescuers of the accident of the helicopter of Iranian President Raisi's team, the rescue team arrived at the relevant location and began to search.
So far, Iran has sent 20 rescue teams and drones to the accident area, but the search and rescue operation will take time due to the lack of transportation in the area, poor mountain and forest conditions, and foggy weather.
△ Rescue teams are searching (Photo from Yitong News Agency)
On the 19th local time, the chief of the general staff of the Iranian armed forces, Bagheri, said that due to the accident of the helicopter in which Iranian President Raisi and his entourage were traveling, the Iranian army, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the police have been required to devote all facilities and forces to the search work.
It is understood that earlier in the day, Raisi had met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the Jizkarasi dam in the border area between Iran and Azerbaijan. Raisi's helicopter was accompanied by Iranian Foreign Minister Abdollahian and the governor of East Azerbaijan Province.
What is a helicopter "hard landing"?
Aviation expert Zhang Wei explained
"The landing of a helicopter is generally hovered by the ground effect on the landing field, and then slowly landed, which is called a "soft landing" of a helicopter. "Hard landing" means that the helicopter falls heavily on the ground with a very fast vertical acceleration, or acceleration rate, which will cause damage to the landing gear at least and damage to the fuselage structure. ”
Source: CCTV News (Main Station Reporter: Li Jiannan, Ni Zihui), CCTV International News
Editor: Sheng Li (trainee)