President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi helicopter crash Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed deep concern amid reports of the helicopter crash involving Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister.

PM Modi said India stands in solidarity with the Iranian people and pray for well being of the President.

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“Deeply concerned by reports regarding President Raisi’s helicopter flight today. We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people in this hour of distress, and pray for well being of the President and his entourage,” Prime Minister Modi said in a post on X. 

Deeply concerned by reports regarding President Raisi’s helicopter flight today. We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people in this hour of distress, and pray for well being of the President and his entourage.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 19, 2024

According to a report in Reuters, the helicopter carrying President Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian crashed on Sunday while it was crossing mountain terrain in heavy fog. Meanwhile, the rescuers are struggling to reach the site of the incident.

The report quoting an Iranian official said that the lives of Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian were “at risk following the helicopter crash”, which happened on the way back from a visit to the border with Azerbaijan in the country’s northwest.

The chief of staff of Iran’s army has ordered all the resources of the army and the elite Revolutionary Guard to be put to use in search and rescue operations.

“It is dark and it has started raining, but the search continues. Rescue teams have reached the area … however, the rain has created mud, making the search difficult,” a local reporter reportedly said. 

Shocked by the news coming from #Iran. Our thoughts & prayers are w/President Raisi, Minister @Amirabdolahian & all others reported to be at the site.

As rescue operations continue, #Armenia, as a close & friendly neighbor of Iran, is ready to provide all necessary support.…

— MFA of Armenia🇦🇲 (@MFAofArmenia) May 19, 2024

The Armenian foreign ministry also expressed shock at the developments in Iran and said that the country is praying for the Iranian president.

“Shocked by the news coming from #Iran. Our thoughts & prayers are w/President Raisi, Minister @Amirabdolahian & all others reported to be at the site. As rescue operations continue, #Armenia, as a close & friendly neighbor of Iran, is ready to provide all necessary  support,” Aremia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.