Iranian President Dies In Helicopter Accident, Seat Usually Occupied By Raisi Wrapped In Black Cloth

ILLUSTRATION OF UNSPLASH/Iran flag

JAKARTA - Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, and eight other people were confirmed dead in a helicopter crash in East Azerbaijan.

The Iranian government held an "urgent meeting", according to Iran's IRNA news agency quoted CNN, Monday, May 20.

From the photo shared by IRNA, Raisi's chair looks empty and wrapped in black cloth in memory of the president.

Iran's stock market is also closed, according to Iran's semi-official newspaper, Tasnim News, citing a member of the stock exchange's board of directors.

Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi previously confirmed to national TV that one of the presidential convoy helicopters had an emergency landing on Sunday, May 19, announcing search and rescue efforts were underway to find President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter.

Upon the martyrdom of the president and the minister of foreign affairs, the government cabinet convened an urgent meeting. pic.twitter.com/ujStRnkWg0

— IRNA News Agency (@IrnaEnglish) May 20, 2024

on the martyrdom of the president and the minister of foreign affairs, the government cabinet convergent an urgent meeting. pic.twitter.com/ujStRnkWg0

Iran's Vice President for Executive Affairs Mohsen Mansouri said President Raisi's helicopter and two other helicopters were on their way to Tabriz city, after the president and his Azerbaijanan counterpart inaugurated the Qiz Qalasi Dam on the border of the two countries.

After flying for half an hour, President Raisi's helicopter lost contact with two other helicopters, prompting them to conduct a search in the area, he said, quoted byIrina.