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Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi passed away after his helicopter crashed near Jolfa in the East of Azerbaijan.

Aboard the plane were other state officials, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem.

The passengers could not be rescued immediately after the crash because of the foggy weather, making the mission challenging
Iran – President Ebrahim Raisi has died after his chopper crashed near Jolfa in East Azerbaijan province on Sunday, May 19.

Among the other killed passengers were eight high-ranking officials, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, the representative of the Iranian supreme leader to the province.

Despite the crash occurring at 1pm, locating the downed helicopter and its occupants proved challenging, prolonging the rescue mission until the dawn hours of Monday, May 20.
Raisi had been participating in the inauguration of a dam alongside President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan the previous day, May 18.

A video has surfaced showing Raisi engaged in conversation with another senior official aboard the plane before its tragic descent.

In the footage, the late head of state appears focused, peering out the window at the rugged mountain terrain while the other official seems to be providing explanations.

The foggy weather conditions compounded the challenges in locating the deceased president and the eight other officials on board, contributing to the delay in recovery efforts.

Meanwhile, President William Ruto has led the country in mourning his Iranian counterpart, Ebrahim Raisi.

Ruto, who is not in the country, sent a message of condolences to Iranians following the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of nine statement.

He described Raisi as a dedicated with a distinguished public service career.