Iran (Washington Insider Magazine)— A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country’s foreign minister and other officials crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday, sparking a massive rescue operation in a fog-shrouded forest as the public was urged to pray.
Context of the Incident
The crash occurred amid heightened tensions in Iran. Under Raisi and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran recently conducted an unprecedented drone-and-missile attack on Israel and enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels. The country is also experiencing ongoing mass protests over economic issues and women’s rights, intensifying the urgency of the situation.
European Assistance Activation
Following Iran’s request for assistance, the European Union activated the Copernicus Emergency Management Service’s quick response mapping service. Janez Lenarčič, European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, announced the activation via social media site X. Copernicus delivers geospatial data and imagery to help manage natural or man-made disasters, monitoring for signals of imminent or ongoing calamities and warning authorities as needed.
Turkish Support
The Turkish Foreign Ministry expressed concern and solidarity, stating, “Developments related to the helicopter accident that occurred today (May 19) in Iran are continuing with sadness.” They extended their best wishes for the safety of Iranian officials and pledged support for the search and rescue efforts.
Details of the Aircraft
According to AlJazeera, the incident involved an American-made Bell 212 helicopter. This medium-sized, two-blade aircraft can seat 15 people, including the pilot and 14 passengers.
