Three Indian nationals were among the 229 people aboard the Singapore Airlines flight that encountered a "sudden extreme turbulence" over the Irrawaddy Basin at 37,000 feet on Tuesday, reported PTI. The traumatic incident in which the aircraft descended 6,000 feet in about three minutes, left a 73-year-old British man dead and more than two dozen other passengers injured. The British man, who was not yet identified, "likely" died from a heart attack, the General Manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport Kittipong Kittikachorn said. Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight SQ321, operating from London (Heathrow) to Singapore on May 20 encountered "sudden extreme turbulence over the Irrawaddy Basin at 37,000 feet about 10 hours after departure," the carrier said. The pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted the aircraft to Bangkok, and landed on May 21. "We can confirm that there were multiple injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft," the carrier said in a Facebook post. A total of 18 individuals had been hospitalised. Another 12 were being treated in hospitals. The remaining passengers and crew were being examined and given treatment, where necessary, at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Singapore Airlines said. There were a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew on board, it said. The nationalities of the passengers are as follows: 56 from Australia, 2 from Canada, 1 from Germany, 3 from India, 2 from Indonesia, 1 from Iceland, 4 from Ireland, 1 from Israel, 16 from Malaysia, 2 from Myanmar, 23 from New Zealand, 5 from the Philippines, 41 from Singapore, 1 from South Korea, 2 from Spain, 47 from the United Kingdom, and 4 from the United States of America. Authorities have not released details of the injured passengers and crew or their nationalities. "Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. We deeply apologise for the traumatic experience that our passengers and crew members suffered on this flight. "We are providing all necessary assistance during this difficult time. We are working with our colleagues and the local authorities in Thailand to provide the necessary assistance," it said. Singapore Airlines was using a 16-year-old 777 model for the SQ321 service hit by severe turbulence. A Singapore Airlines team is on its way to Bangkok to provide any additional assistance needed. SIA is working with the relevant authorities on the investigation into this incident. Relatives seeking information may call the Singapore Airlines hotlines at +65 6542 3311 (Singapore), 1800-845-313 (Australia), and 080-0066-8194 (the United Kingdom), the carrier said. Singapore's new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong extended his condolences to "family members and loved ones of the deceased." He added that Singapore is working closely with the Thai authorities and ¿doing everything we can to support the passengers and crew. "We pray for their safe return and smooth recovery for those who are injured. We are still getting more information from Bangkok and will provide further updates in due course," he said. US aircraft manufacturer Boeing extended its condolences to the family of the British man who died aboard SQ321, a Boeing 777-300ER. "We are in contact with Singapore Airlines regarding flight SQ321 and stand ready to support them," Boeing said on X. With light and moderate turbulence passengers might feel a strain against their seatbelt, and unsecured items could move around the cabin. But in severe cases turbulence can throw passengers around the cabin, causing severe injuries and occasionally death, CNN reported. (With inputs from PTI)
21 May,2024 10:23 PM IST | Singapore/Bangkok | mid-day online correspondentA Singapore Airlines flight hit severe turbulence over the Indian Ocean and descended 6,000 feet (around 1,800 meters) in a span of about three minutes, the carrier said Tuesday, leaving a British man dead and more than two dozen other passengers injured. The flight was then diverted and landed in stormy weather in Bangkok. Authorities said the 73-year-old British man may have suffered a heart attack, though that hasn't been confirmed. His name wasn't immediately released. The Boeing 777 flight from London's Heathrow airport to Singapore, with 211 passengers and 18 crew members aboard, landed at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, the airline said in a Facebook post. British passenger Andrew Davies told Sky News that ¿anyone who had a seatbelt on isn't injured." He said that the seatbelt sign was illuminated, but crew members didn't have time to take their seats. "Every single cabin crew person I saw was injured in some way or another, maybe with a gash on their head," Davies said. "One had a bad back, who was in obvious pain." Emergency medical crews rushed to help the passengers. Videos posted on the LINE messaging platform by Suvarnabhumi Airport showed a line of ambulances streaming to the scene. Kittipong Kittikachorn, general manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport, told a news conference on Tuesday night that the British man appeared to have suffered a heart attack, but medical authorities would need to confirm that. He said that seven passengers were severely injured, and 23 passengers and nine crew members had what he described as moderate injuries. Sixteen other people with less serious injuries received hospital treatment, while another 14 were treated at the airport, according to Kittipong. Kittipong said the sudden descent happened as passengers were being served their food. It was Suvarnabhumi Airport's first time handling a midair turbulence related death, he added. Thai airport authorities said that the passengers with minor injures, and those who are not injured, are being assisted at a specially assigned location inside the airport terminal. Thailand's transport minister, Suriya Jungrungruangkit, said Singapore was dispatching another plane to transport those who could travel to the city-state's Changi airport. Tracking data captured by FlightRadar24 and analyzed by The Associated Press show the Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 cruising at an altitude of 37,000 feet (11,300 meters). At one point, the Boeing 777-300ER suddenly and sharply descends to 31,000 feet (9,400 meters) over the span of about three minutes, according to the data. The aircraft then stayed at 31,000 feet (9,400 meters) for under 10 minutes before diverting and landing in Bangkok less than a half-hour later. The sharp descent in turbulence happened as the flight was over the Andaman Sea, near Myanmar. The aircraft sent a 'squawk code' of 7700 at that time, an international emergency signal. Details of the weather at the time weren't immediately revealed. Most people associate turbulence with heavy storms. But the most dangerous type is so-called clear air turbulence. Wind shear can occur in wispy cirrus clouds or even in clear air near thunderstorms, as differences in temperature and pressure create powerful currents of fast-moving air. The problem of turbulence was highlighted last December, when a total of 41 people on two separate flights hit by turbulence in the United States were hurt or received medical treatment on two consecutive days. According to a 2021 report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, turbulence accounted for 37.6% of all accidents on larger commercial airlines between 2009 and 2018. The Federal Aviation Administration, another U.S. government agency, said after the December incidents that there were 146 serious injuries from turbulence from 2009 to 2021. Boeing, the maker of the Singapore Airlines plane that ran into turbulence , extended condolences to the family of the dead man and said it was "in contact with Singapore Airlines regarding flight SQ321 and stand ready to support them." The widebody Boeing 777 is a workhorse of the aviation industry, used mainly for long-haul flights by airlines around the world. The 777-300ER variant of the twin-engine, two-aisle plane is larger and can carry more passengers than earlier models. Singapore Airlines, the city-state's flag carrier, operates 22 of the aircraft as part of its fleet of more than 140 planes. The airline's parent company is majority owned by Singapore's Temasek government investment conglomerate, and also operates the budget airline Scoot. Singapore Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat also extended condolences on his Facebook page. He said that his ministry and Singapore's Foreign Ministry, as well as the country's Civil Aviation Authority and Changi Airport officials, along with airline staff, "are providing support to the affected passengers and their families." The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau of the ministry said that it's investigating the incident and is in touch with its Thai counterpart and will be deploying investigators to Bangkok. Singapore Airlines said that the nationalities of the passengers are: 56 Australians, two Canadians, one German, three Indians, two Indonesians, one from Iceland, four from Ireland, one Israeli, 16 Malaysians, two from Myanmar, 23 from New Zealand, five Filipinos, 41 from Singapore, one South Korean, two Spaniards, 47 from the United Kingdom and four from the United States. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 May,2024 04:09 PM IST | Bangkok | APHaiti's main international airport reopened Monday for the first time in nearly three months after relentless gang violence forced authorities to close it to all traffic in early March. The reopening of the Toussaint-Louverture airport in the capital of Port-au-Prince is expected to help ease a critical shortage of medications and other basic supplies since the country's main seaport remains paralyzed. However, only Sunrise Airways, a local carrier, is flying in and out of Port-au-Prince for now. US-based airlines are not expected to start doing so until late May or early June. The first flight expected was one from Sunrise Airways bound for Miami and scheduled to depart at 2:30 pm EDT. Before Monday's reopening, the sole airport operating in Haiti was the one located in the north coastal city of Cap-Haitien. However, it was out of reach for many seeking to flee the country since the roads leading from Port-au-Prince to Cap-Haitien are controlled by gangs that have opened fire on cars and buses passing through. As a result, the U.S. government evacuated hundreds of its citizens by helicopter out of a hilly neighborhood in Port-au-Prince, as did nonprofit organizations, as powerful gangs laid siege to parts of the capital. The attacks began on Feb. 29, with gunmen seizing control of police stations, opening fire on the Port-au-Prince airport and storming Haiti's two biggest prisons, freeing more than 4,000 inmates. Gangs since then have directed their attacks on previously peaceful communities, leaving thousands homeless. More than 2,500 people have been killed or injured in Haiti from January to March, a more than 50% increase compared to the same period last year, according to the United Nations. The attack on the airport left former Prime Minister Ariel Henry locked out of Haiti since he was on an official trip to Kenya at the time. He has since resigned, and a transitional presidential council is seeking a new prime minister for Haiti. It is also tasked with selecting a new Cabinet and organizing general elections. In recent weeks, U.S. military planes have landed at the Port-au-Prince airport with supplies, including medication and hydration fluids as well as civilian contractors to help Haiti prepare for the arrival of foreign forces expected to help quell violence unleashed by gangs that control 80% of the capital. On Sunday, Korir Sing'oei, Kenya's foreign affairs principal secretary, said a plan to deploy police officers from the East African country was in its final stages. "I can tell you for sure that that deployment will happen in the next few days, few weeks," he said. Sing'oei added that "there is no chance at all" Kenyan President William Ruto will visit Haiti. Ruto was scheduled to depart Kenya on Sunday for an official four-day visit to the U.S., where he is expected to meet President Joe Biden. In March, Kenya and Haiti signed agreements to try to salvage a plan for the African country to deploy 1,000 police officers to the troubled Caribbean nation to help the violence. Other countries expected to back up the Kenyan forces include the Bahamas, Barbados, Benin, Chad and Bangladesh. It wasn't immediately clear when those forces would arrive. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 May,2024 02:54 PM IST | Port-Au-Prince | APDonald Trump's hush money trial entered its final stretch as the prosecution's star witness Michael Cohen returned to the stand Monday. In his testimony last week, Cohen placed the former president directly at the center of the alleged scheme to stifle negative stories to fend off damage to his White House bid. Among other things, Cohen told jurors that Trump promised to reimburse him for the money he fronted and was constantly updated about efforts to silence women who alleged sexual encounters with him. Trump denies the women's claims. Defense attorneys resumed cross-examination of Cohen with a series of questions about his business dealings and other activities in the lead-up to the payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels. They further dug into Cohen's sources of income in the years since Trump originally took office, as well as income he has earned criticizing the former president. Prosecutors have said they will rest their case once Cohen's testimony concludes, though they could call rebuttal witnesses. The defense said Monday it will call at least one witness, but it remains unclear whether Trump will testify. Merchan said earlier in the day that closing arguments could take place the Tuesday after Memorial Day. The trial is in its 19th day. Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The case is the first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president and the first of four prosecutions of Trump to reach a jury. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 May,2024 08:29 AM IST | New York | APIranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and several other officials were found dead on Monday, hours after their helicopter crashed in a foggy, mountainous region of the country's northwest, state media reported. The crash comes as the Middle East remains unsettled by the Israel-Hamas war, during which Raisi, who was 63, under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei launched an unprecedented drone-and-missile attack on Israel just last month. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (right) and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a file photo. Pic/AFP During Raisi's term in office, Iran enriched uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels, further escalating tensions with the West as Tehran also supplied bomb-carrying drones to Russia for its war in Ukraine and armed militia groups across the region. Meanwhile, Iran has faced years of mass protests against its Shiite theocracy over its ailing economy and women's rights--making the moment that much more sensitive for Tehran and the future of the country. Khamenei hours later announced Iran's first vice president, Mohammad Mokhber, would serve as the country's acting president until elections are held. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 May,2024 07:43 AM IST | Dubai | AgenciesAttacks on political candidates in Mexico’s violence-torn southern state of Chiapas have left at least 14 people dead in recent days, local authorities and candidates said. The latest attack targeted the car driving Nicolás Noriega, who is running to lead the municipal government of the town of Mapastepec. Noriega confirmed the attack to The Associated Press and said he was wounded and at least five people from his campaign were fatally shot. Running under the country’s ruling party, Morena didn’t add more details and was noticeably shaken after the attack. The Chiapas Prosecutor’s Office also confirmed the attack. Photos shared by local media showed a red truck dotted by bullet holes, and bloodied bodies laying in the trunk and on the ground. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 May,2024 07:40 AM IST | Tapachula | AgenciesThe chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said Monday he is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in connection with their actions during the seven-month war. Karim Khan said that he believes Netanyahu, his defence minister Yoav Gallant and three Hamas leaders—Yehya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh—are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip and Israel. Speaking of the Israeli actions, Khan said in a statement that “the effects of the use of starvation as a method of warfare, together with other attacks and collective punishment against the civilian population of Gaza are acute, visible and widely known. They include malnutrition, dehydration, profound suffering and an increasing number of deaths among the Palestinian population, including babies, other children, and women.” Israel, Hamas react Israel’s foreign minister said the call was “a historic disgrace that would be remembered forever”. Israel Katz said he would form a special committee to fight back against such action. In a statement, Hamas accused the prosecutor of trying to “equate the victim with the executioner”. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 May,2024 07:38 AM IST | The Hague | AgenciesWikiLeaks founder Julian Assange can appeal against extradition to the United States on espionage charges, a London court ruled on Monday, reported news agency AP. High Court judges Victoria Sharp and Jeremy Johnson said Assange has grounds to challenge the United Kingdom's government's extradition order. Assange faces 17 espionage charges and one charge of computer misuse over his website's publication of a trove of classified US documents almost 15 years ago. The Australian computer expert has spent the last five years in a British high-security prison after taking refuge in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London for seven years.Lawyers for Assange argued Monday that the US provided blatantly inadequate assurances the WikiLeaks founder would have free press protections if extradited to America to face espionage charges. Lawyer Edward Fitzgerald said prosecutors had failed to guarantee that Assange, who is an Australian citizen and claims protections as a journalist for publishing US classified information, could rely on press protections of the First Amendment of the US Constitution. "The real issue is whether an adequate assurance has been provided to remove the real risk identified by the court," Fitzgerald said. "It is submitted that no adequate assurance has been made." The hearing in the High Court in London could end with Assange being sent to the US to face espionage charges, or could provide him another chance to appeal his extradition. The outcome will depend on how much weight judges give to assurances US officials have provided that Assange's rights won't be trampled if he goes on trial.Assange, 52, has been indicted on 17 espionage charges and one charge of computer misuse over his website's publication of a trove of classified US documents almost 15 years ago. American prosecutors allege that Assange encouraged and helped US Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to steal diplomatic cables and military files that WikiLeaks published. Assange's lawyers have argued he was a journalist who exposed US military wrongdoing in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sending him to the US, they said, would expose him to a politically motivated prosecution and risk a "flagrant denial of justice." The US government says Assange's actions went way beyond those of a journalist gathering information, amounting to an attempt to solicit, steal and indiscriminately publish classified government documents. In March, two judges rejected the bulk of Assange's arguments but said he could take his case to the Court of Appeal unless the US guaranteed he would not face the death penalty if extradited and would have the same free speech protections as a US citizen. The court said that if Assange couldn't rely on the First Amendment then it was arguable his extradition would be incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights, which also provides free speech and media protections. The US provided those reassurances, but Assange's legal team and supporters argue they are not good enough to rely on to send him to the US federal court system because the First Amendment promises fall short. The US said Assange could seek to rely on the amendment but it would be up to a judge to decide whether he could.Attorney James Lewis, representing the US, said Assange's conduct was "simply unprotected" by the First Amendment. "No one, neither US citizens nor foreign citizens, are entitled to rely on the First Amendment in relation to publication of illegally obtained national defence information giving the names of innocent sources, to their grave and imminent risk of harm," Lewis said. The WikiLeaks founder, who has spent the past five years in a British prison, was not in court to hear his fate being debated. He did not attend for health reasons, Fitzgerald said. Commuters emerging from a Tube stop near the courthouse couldn't miss a large sign bearing Assange's photo and the words, "Publishing is not a crime. War crimes are." Scores of supporters gathered outside the neo-Gothic Royal Courts of Justice chanting "Free Julian Assange" and "Press freedom, Assange freedom."Some held a large white banner aimed at President Joe Biden, exhorting "Let him go Joe." Assange's lawyers say he could face up to 175 years in prison if convicted, though American authorities have said any sentence would likely be much shorter. Assange's family and supporters say his physical and mental health have suffered during more than a decade of legal battles, which includes seven years spent inside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London from 2012 until 2019. He has spent the past five years in a British high-security prison. Biden said last month that he was considering a request from Australia to drop the case and let Assange return to his home country.Officials provided no other details but Stella Assange said it was "a good sign" and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the comment was encouraging. (With inputs from AP)
20 May,2024 06:21 PM IST | London | mid-day online correspondentThe chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said on Monday that he is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in connection with their actions during the seven-month war, reported news agency AP. Karim Khan said that he believes Netanyahu, his defence minister Yoav Gallant and three Hamas leaders - Yehya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh - are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip and Israel. Speaking of the Israeli actions, Khan said in a statement that the effects of the use of starvation as a method of warfare, together with other attacks and collective punishment against the civilian population of Gaza are acute, visible and widely known. They include malnutrition, dehydration, profound suffering and an increasing number of deaths among the Palestinian population, including babies, other children, and women. Of the Hamas actions on October 7, he said that he saw for himself "the devastating scenes of these attacks and the profound impact of the unconscionable crimes charged in the applications filed today. Speaking with survivors, I heard how the love within a family, the deepest bonds between a parent and a child, were contorted to inflict unfathomable pain through calculated cruelty and extreme callousness. These acts demand accountability. (With inputs from AP)
20 May,2024 05:40 PM IST | The Hague | mid-day online correspondentVice President Mohammad Mokhber has been appointed to assume interim duties by Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Monday after President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash a day before Vice President Mohammad Mokhber has been appoinnted to assume interim duties by Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Monday in light of President Ebrahim Raisi's death in a helicopter crash a day before. Iranian State media earlier today confirmed the deaths of the 63-year-old Raisi, his foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and seven others in Sunday's helicopter crash in the mountainous region of the country's East Azerbaijan province a day earlier. Meanwhile, the Iranian cabinet has appointed Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani as acting foreign minister following the death of Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. As per an ANI report, in a message issued on Monday morning, Khamenei expressed his great sadness over the deaths and offered condolences to people of his country. Vice President Mohammad Mokhber is expected to assume interim duties shortly. "In accordance with Article 131 of the constitution, Mokhber is in charge of leading the executive branch," Khamenei said in a statement. He added that Mokhber will be required to work with the heads of legislative and judicial to prepare for presidential elections "within a maximum period of 50 days," he said. Earlier today, Iranian state media IRNA shared drone footage shot by the the Red Crescent showing the wreckage of the crashed helicopter. News outlet Tasnim, which is affiliated to the country's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps reported that Raisi's funeral will be held tomorrow in Tabriz. Kani has served as deputy foreign minister since September 2021, reported Al Jazeera. Moreover, he was deputy secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council between 2007 and 2013, Al Jazeera reported. The helicopter carrying Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, and his accompanying delegation crashed a day ago in the Dizmar forest, nestled between the cities of Varzaqan and Jolfa in East Azarbaijan Province, state media Press TV reported today. The Iranian President was returning following a visit to Azerbaijan when his helicopter came down in bad weather conditions. Iran's Supreme Leader described Raisi as a hard-working cleric and a popular president who dedicated his life to serving the people of Iran, the country, and Islam, according to IRNA. "In this bitter tragedy, the Iranian nation lost a warm-hearted, humble, and valued servant," Khamenei said, adding that President Raisi never stopped his hard and round-the-clock work for the people of Iran despite being faced with criticism from ill-wishers. Moreover, the Iranian Supreme Leader also expressed sadness over the deaths of other senior officials who were with President Raisi in the helicopter crash in East Azerbaijan, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, the Tabriz Friday prayer leader, and the provincial governor. (With inputs from ANI)
20 May,2024 04:08 PM IST | Tehran | mid-day online correspondentIranian President Ebrahim Raisi and foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has died in the helicopter crash, Mehr News Agency, a semi-official news agency of the Iranian government said on Monday, reported news agency ANI. However, there has been no official confirmation of this. Mehr news agency today reported that the Iranian president, foreign minister and other occupants of the helicopter, including East Azerbaijan Province Governor Malek Rahmati, have been "martyred". There is still no official confirmation that Raisi is dead, but medics have said that they found "no signs" of life at the crash site, reported ANI. The crash site of the helicopter carrying President Raisi was found in the forested mountains earlier today. Drone footage shared by Iranian state news agency IRNA showed wreckage of President Raisi's helicopter. The footage was shot by the Red Crescent, reported ANI. The wreckage was found on the route from Khoylar village to Kelem. Tasnim News Agency reported from Varzeqan that after the probable coordinates of the crash site were announced, rescue teams immediately went to the designated location, but there was no sign of the helicopter, reported ANI. The search operation continued as daylight broke along the Khoylar to Kelem route. Rescue teams then noticed the helicopter's blades and wings on a hill and immediately changed their course towards the hill. The Iranian Red Crescent head highlighted that, according to the videos from the rescue teams, the entire cabin of the helicopter was significantly damaged and burned, adding that there were no signs of survivors on the site, reported ANI. As the Iranian rescue teams located Raisi's helicopter, no clue of any living persons was reported in the crash, according to Iran-based Press TV. He did not give further detail but said "the condition is not good", state news agency IRNA reported. "73 rescue teams are present in the search area of the helicopter in Tawal village with advanced and specialized equipment", he added, reported ANI. Raisi was returning to Iran following a visit to Azerbaijan when his helicopter came down in bad weather conditions on Sunday afternoon. Nine people were on the helicopter that crashed in northwest Iran on Sunday, including three officials, an imam, and flight and security team members, as reported by Tasnim News. The IRGC-run media outlet, Sepah, reported the nine included: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian; Governor of Eastern Azerbaijan province Malek Rahmati, Tabriz's Friday prayer Imam Mohammad Ali Alehashem as well as a pilot, copilot, crew chief, head of security, and another bodyguard, reported ANI. For the first time, Iran is going through such a situation. The country has never seen something similar with the president and the foreign minister disappearing in a helicopter crash, reported Al Jazeera. The incident sparked global attention, and the foreign countries extended help with the search operations. The Turks sent their drones and the Russians sent their equipment, while the global leaders and the people of Iran prayed for the Iranian president and the other people on board, reported ANI. (With inputs from ANI)
20 May,2024 10:20 AM IST | Tehran | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
