Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi alongside Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and accompanying officials have passed away in the tragic helicopter crash in Iran's East Azerbaijan Province, according to an official statement by Iranian state media.

After locating the helicopter carrying the Iranian President and accompanying officials on Monday morning, Iran's Red Crescent Society (IRCS) issued a preliminary statement noting that there was "no sign of life" found near the wreckage locations.

This announcement comes over 16 hours after the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps reported they had lost contact with the helicopter carrying the officials. Since then, at least 73 rapid response and rescue teams from the provinces of East Azarbaijan, Tehran, Alborz, Ardabil, Zanjan, and West Azarbaijan were involved in the search and rescue operations led by the Iranian RCS.

Additionally, countries such as Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Russia participated in the search and rescue efforts in the province.

Initial footage shows the arrival of rescue teams and the beginning of search operations for the helicopter that was carrying the Iranian president and his accompanying delegation. #Iran pic.twitter.com/PyGvrq1nCa

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 19, 2024

Returning from a ceremony 

According to Iranian state media, the President's helicopter crashed against a mountaintop in the Varzaqan region on Sunday while returning from a ceremony to inaugurate a dam on Iran's border with the Azerbaijan Republic. Iranian state TV mentioned that the helicopter was one of three carrying Raisi and his accompanying delegation of senior officials, which also included Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and the Friday Prayer Imam of Tabriz, among other officials.

#WATCH | More footage shows rescue teams during their search operations for the helicopter that was carrying the Iranian president and his accompanying delegation amid evident bad weather conditions.#Iran pic.twitter.com/kKwYSDmpxr

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 19, 2024

In response to the incident, Iran's leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei called on the Iranian nation on Sunday to pray for the safe return of President Raisi and his companions.

Everyone should pray for the health of these people who are serving the Iranian nation. The nation doesn't need to be worried or anxious as the administration of the country will not be disrupted at all.

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) May 19, 2024

Read more: World rushes to support Iran, as US watches closely