Months after the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and seven others, including his Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, an official investigation has revealed the cause of the accident.
On August 31st, Iranian state television reported the findings of the investigation, citing the final report from the Supreme Board of the General Staff of the Armed Forces. The report concluded that the primary factor behind the crash was the challenging climatic and atmospheric conditions prevalent in the region during the spring season.
The investigation specifically pointed to the sudden emergence of a thick mass of dense fog as the helicopter collided with a mountain. This dense fog hampered visibility and contributed to the accident. Importantly, the report found no evidence of sabotage in any of the helicopter’s components or systems.
The crash occurred on May 19th in the remote Dizmar forest in East Azarbaijan Province, northwestern Iran. The incident took place near Jolf a, a city bordering Azerbaijan, approximately 600 kilometers (375 miles) northwest of Tehran, the Iranian capital. Rescue operations were hindered by the challenging weather conditions in the area.
Following the news of the crash, world leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed their condolences. Modi took to social media to express his deep sorrow and shock over the passing of President Raisi, acknowledging his contributions to strengthening India-Iran bilateral relations. He offered his heartfelt condolences to Raisi’s family and the people of Iran, assuring them of India’s support during this time of grief.
