Türkiye Sends Rescuers and UAVs to Iran Following Helicopter Crash
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on social media the deployment of 32 climbers and night vision UAVs to Iran after a helicopter crash involving Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and other officials.
According to Anadolu Agency, President Erdogan expressed deep sadness over the incident. “We are deeply saddened that the President of Iran, my brother Mr. Ebrahim Raisi, and his delegation suffered a helicopter accident. On behalf of the Republic of Türkiye, we are closely monitoring the incident in full contact and coordination with the Iranian authorities and are ready to provide all necessary support,” he said.
President Erdogan offered his condolences to Iran, stating, “On behalf of my country, I express my regrets to the neighboring, friendly, and brotherly Iranian people and government and hope to receive good news from Mr. Raisi and his delegation as soon as possible.”
AFAD, Türkiye’s disaster and emergency management authority, reported that Iran requested a search and rescue night vision UAV. Consequently, 32 search and rescue climbers and six vehicles from Van and Erzurum were dispatched to the scene.
A helicopter carrying the Iranian President made a hard landing, and a video from the crash site later surfaced. People are praying for the health of President Raisi and his companions.
An Iranian state television correspondent who was with President Raisi during his visit to the Iran-Azerbaijan border provided details of the accident. Iranian Vice President Mohsen Mansouri mentioned that after the hard landing, there were several contacts with the team accompanying President Raisi.
