Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi and foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash near the Azerbaijan border, as confirmed by state media and government officials on Monday. The crash, which occurred on Sunday evening, also claimed the lives of six others.
The charred wreckage of the helicopter was discovered on Monday after overnight rescue operations. The rescue team faced challenges reaching the crash site due to heavy rains and fog in the mountainous terrain.
Leaders from around the world expressed their condolences for the loss of President Raisi, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that India stands with Iran during this time of sorrow.
This unfortunate incident is not the first time politicians have perished in aircraft crashes. Here are five notable politicians who met a similar fate:
1. Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, President of Pakistan, died in a mysterious plane crash in 1988.
2. Sebastian Pinera, President of Chile, lost his life in a helicopter crash in 2024.
3. Arvid Lindman, Prime Minister of Sweden, passed away in an aircraft crash due to bad weather.
4. Abdul Salam Arif, President of Iraq, died in a plane crash when his aircraft malfunctioned.
5. Rashid Karami, Prime Minister of Lebanon, was killed in a helicopter explosion caused by a bomb.
The tragic loss of these political figures serves as a reminder of the risks involved in air travel, even for those in the highest positions of power.