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'Worried and constantly in stress' – Tehran residents pray for Raisi's health following helicopter crash03:06
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No Access Israel Media/Persian Language TV Stations Outside Iran/Strictly No Access BBC Persian/VOA Persian /Iran International TV

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Residents of Tehran prayed for the safety of their president, Ebrahim Raisi, as reports emerged of a helicopter crash on Sunday.

"I think it was about 3-4 o'clock when I heard this news from one of my friends," said one, Ali Mirzaei. "Since then, we have been worried and constantly in stress, we pass the time to see what happened."

Footage shows local men and women holding prayers and a vigil, with some seen crying.

"I was really upset and heartbroken. I am sure they will be found, and we will hear good news," said Hamidreza Khalili.

Media reports stated that the president's helicopter had made a 'hard landing' in the mountains of northern Iran during heavy fog, with rescue teams searching for the crash site.

UPDATE: Raisi, his Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and others on board were confirmed killed by state media and officials on Monday.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared five days of national mourning. First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will take over as acting president for an interim period, with elections scheduled after 50 days. Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani becomes acting foreign minister.

Condolences came from the leaders of Russia, India, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, Egypt and others. Raisi, a conservative cleric seen as close to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was elected in 2021.

'Worried and constantly in stress' – Tehran residents pray for Raisi's health following helicopter crash

Iran, Islamic Republic of, Tehran
May 20, 2024 at 03:30 GMT +00:00 · Published

Residents of Tehran prayed for the safety of their president, Ebrahim Raisi, as reports emerged of a helicopter crash on Sunday.

"I think it was about 3-4 o'clock when I heard this news from one of my friends," said one, Ali Mirzaei. "Since then, we have been worried and constantly in stress, we pass the time to see what happened."

Footage shows local men and women holding prayers and a vigil, with some seen crying.

"I was really upset and heartbroken. I am sure they will be found, and we will hear good news," said Hamidreza Khalili.

Media reports stated that the president's helicopter had made a 'hard landing' in the mountains of northern Iran during heavy fog, with rescue teams searching for the crash site.

UPDATE: Raisi, his Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and others on board were confirmed killed by state media and officials on Monday.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared five days of national mourning. First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will take over as acting president for an interim period, with elections scheduled after 50 days. Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani becomes acting foreign minister.

Condolences came from the leaders of Russia, India, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, Egypt and others. Raisi, a conservative cleric seen as close to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was elected in 2021.

Restrictions

No Access Israel Media/Persian Language TV Stations Outside Iran/Strictly No Access BBC Persian/VOA Persian /Iran International TV

Description

Residents of Tehran prayed for the safety of their president, Ebrahim Raisi, as reports emerged of a helicopter crash on Sunday.

"I think it was about 3-4 o'clock when I heard this news from one of my friends," said one, Ali Mirzaei. "Since then, we have been worried and constantly in stress, we pass the time to see what happened."

Footage shows local men and women holding prayers and a vigil, with some seen crying.

"I was really upset and heartbroken. I am sure they will be found, and we will hear good news," said Hamidreza Khalili.

Media reports stated that the president's helicopter had made a 'hard landing' in the mountains of northern Iran during heavy fog, with rescue teams searching for the crash site.

UPDATE: Raisi, his Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and others on board were confirmed killed by state media and officials on Monday.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared five days of national mourning. First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will take over as acting president for an interim period, with elections scheduled after 50 days. Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani becomes acting foreign minister.

Condolences came from the leaders of Russia, India, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, Egypt and others. Raisi, a conservative cleric seen as close to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was elected in 2021.

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