World

Thousands mourn death of Iran’s President Raisi in Tabriz

Thousands gathered Tuesday in Tabriz ahead of the procession for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed Sunday in a helicopter crash while crossing mountain terrain in heavy fog.

Raisi and seven others died in the crash.

Mourners filled the streets, some carrying posters of the deceased. Police officers and air force personnel were also present.

Funeral ceremonies for Raisi will be held from Tuesday to Thursday in Tabriz, Qom, Tehran, and Birjand, culminating in his burial at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, according to Iranian media.

The charred wreckage of the helicopter, which crashed Sunday carrying Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and six other passengers and crew, was found early Monday after an overnight search in blizzard conditions.

Iran has not yet provided an official cause for the crash of the U.S.-made Bell 212 helicopter in mountains near the Azerbaijan border.