Pakistan to Observe Day of Mourning for Iranian President after Fatal Chopper Crash: PM
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif announced on social media that Pakistan will observe a day of mourning with the national flag flying at half-mast in respect for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions who were martyred in a chopper crash.
Sharif expressed solidarity with “brotherly Iran”, stating, "Pakistan had the pleasure of hosting President Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian on a historic visit less than a month ago. They were good friends of Pakistan."
The helicopter carrying President Raisi crashed on Sunday afternoon while returning from the Khoda Afarin region in Iran’s northwestern province of East Azarbaijan after inaugurating a dam on the border with Azerbaijan. The convoy included three helicopters, two of which landed safely.
In a previous post, Sharif wrote, "Had been anxiously following developments regarding the reported crash landing of President Raisi's helicopter. Was hoping for good news. Alas, this was not to be. I, along with the government and people of Pakistan, extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to the Iranian nation on this terrible loss. May the martyred souls rest in heavenly peace. The great Iranian nation will overcome this tragedy with customary courage."
On Sunday, Rescue teams from the Red Crescent Society of Iran, the IRGC, the military, and the police were deployed to the area to search for the helicopter. The head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society reported that 40 rescue and rapid response teams were involved in the efforts.
Early Monday, it was confirmed that Raisi had been martyred in the crash. He was accompanied by Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, the Friday prayers leader of Tabriz, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and East Azerbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati, who were also martyred in the crash. Other victims included Maj. Gen. Seyed Mehdi Mousavi, head of the president’s security team, a member of the Ansar al-Mahdi Corps, the helicopter pilot and co-pilot, and a helicopter technician.
