Weather and night endanger search for Raisi - Khamenei commented: We hope Almighty God will return the President!

(Patria) - Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei expressed concern and sympathy with the Iranian nation after the helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi experienced a hard landing in a mountainous area in northwestern Iran.

"We hope Almighty God will return the esteemed and respected president and his companions to the embrace of the nation," Ayatollah Hamenei said on Sunday.

The leader called on all Iranians to pray for the health and safety of President Raisi and other public officials on the helicopter.

"The Iranian nation does not need to worry or be concerned, there will be no disruption in the country's affairs," he said.

Rescue teams are battling difficult conditions:

New footage of the site of the accident for the helicopter carrying the president @Raisi_com pic.twitter.com/5yMzbHEtsk

— IRNA News Agency (@IrnaEnglish) May 19, 2024

The helicopter was carrying President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and several other officials when it encountered difficulties and was forced to make a "hard landing".

The incident occurred in the Dizmar forest, between the cities of Varzaqan and Jolfa. President Raisi was returning from the inauguration ceremony of the Aras River dam with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

An extensive search and rescue operation is underway to locate the site of the incident. Difficult weather conditions and the rugged terrain of the region are hindering rescue efforts.

Video from the helicopter crash site:

The footage shows the area where the president's helicopter crashed pic.twitter.com/h78E9ta8LH

— IRNA News Agency (@IrnaEnglish) May 19, 2024