Initial Report On Investigation Of Iran's Presidential Helicopter Incident Released

Initial reports of the Iranian helicopter crash investigation were released (ANTARA/Reuters/Ali)

JAKARTA - The incident of the crash of a helicopter containing important Iranian officials, including the president, Ebrahim Raisi, raised many questions. Recently, the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces released an initial report on the investigation into the unfortunate accident.

The report shared technical and general information as well as findings related to the crash that had been collected and evaluated, with some data requiring more time for assessment, Iran's official news agency, IRNA reported.

According to the initial evaluation, as reported by ANTARA, the presidential helicopter continued its predetermined route without changing its flight path. The pilot communicated with the pilot of two other helicopters about one and a half minutes before the crash.

The report indicates that no gunshots or similar damage were found in the remaining helicopters and that the helicopter caught fire when it crashed.

The steep terrain, cold weather and fog in the area made search and rescue operations take a long time and new accident sites can be reached in the morning.

The report stated that no suspicious circumstances were found in the control tower communications with flight crews.

The final results of the investigation will be shared after the investigation is complete.

On May 19, President Raisi attended a dam inauguration ceremony on the Iranian-Azerbaijan border and returned with Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian and several officials, Raisi helicopter then crashed.

At Iran's request, Turkey deployed the AKINCI unmanned aircraft (UAV) for search and rescue activities. The coordinates of the helicopter debris detected by the Turkish UAV have been distributed to Iranian authorities.

The Iranian team reached the location and reported no survivors.

Following the confirmation of Raisi's death, First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber was appointed interim president, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Bagheri Kani was appointed interim foreign minister.