WATCH last visuals of Iran President Ebrahim Raisi sitting inside helicopter moments before crash

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi, his foreign minister Amir Abdollahian and other officials died in a helicopter crash in the Jolfa region of East Azerbaijan province. The accident occurred on Sunday, but the news of their death was confirmed on Monday.

After the report of his death, Iranian state TV network released a video showing Raisi sitting calmly inside the chopper with other officials, moments before it crashed in the mountainous region.

The clip, which has now gone viral, shows Raisi, the 13th President of Iran, sitting in front of Abdollahian, looking out from the window of the helicopter as they were returning from neighbouring Azerbaijan.

He was returning to Iran in a US-made Bell 212 helicopter after inaugurating a dam at the request of Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.

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As per reports, contact with the helicopter was lost nearly 30 minutes after it took off and travelled through heavy clouds and dense fog.

Raisi was announced dead by the Iranian media after overnight searches near Iran’s border with Azerbaijan bore no results.

Extensive searches were carried out with assistance from the European Union and Turkey to find Raisi’s chopper. However, operations were hampered by the thick fog and plummeting temperatures. Rescue personnel were able to reach the crash site 12 hours after the chopper was reported missing.

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Also Read: Raisi, next in line to be Supreme Leader, dies; When Iran will get new President? Who will hold top office?

As per reports, the helicopter was burnt entirely after the crash and the site showed scattered debris and chopper parts that broke off from the main

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the death of Raisi and said that India will stand with Iran in its time of sorrow.

Also Read: India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow: PM Modi saddened by President Ebrahim Raisi’s death

In a post on X, PM Modi said: “Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His contribution to strengthening India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow.”