Iran’s state television halted all regular programming to broadcast prayers being held across the country for President Ebrahim Raisi after his helicopter crashed on Sunday.
Iranian news agencies reported that the helicopter, carrying Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and local officials, made a rough landing while crossing a mountainous area in heavy fog on the way back from a visit to Azerbaijan.
An official said the lives of Raisi and Amirabdollahian were “at risk following the helicopter crash.”
“We are still hopeful, but information coming from the crash site is very concerning,” said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Bad weather was complicating rescue efforts, state news agency IRNA reported.
Interior Minister Ahmed Vahidi told state TV that one of the helicopters in a group of three had come down hard and that authorities were awaiting further details.
