Kawardha Accident News Highlights: Chhattisgarh CM announces Rs 5 lakh as ex-gratia for kin of deceased

India's Ekta Bhyan secures a gold medal with a season-best throw of 20.12m in the women's F51 club throw competition at the World Para Athletic Championships in Kobe, Japan.

In Delhi, the national flag at Rashtrapati Bhavan is at half-mast as India observes a one-day national mourning following the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the Foreign Minister, and other high-ranking officials in a helicopter crash.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been established to investigate the assault allegations made by AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal against Bibhav Kumar, the former personal secretary to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The SIT, led by North Delhi's Additional DCP Anjitha Chepyala, includes three Inspector-rank officers, one from the Civil Lines Police Station where the case was registered. The SIT will conduct a thorough investigation and submit its report to senior officials.

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal, who accused Delhi Chief Minister's aide Bibhav Kumar of assault, criticized Delhi ministers and AAP leaders for spreading purported lies about a "corruption FIR" against her. Maliwal, in a post on X, asserted that she would take legal action against them for each falsehood. She questioned the sudden change in her party status from "Lady Singham" to "BJP agent" after filing a complaint against Kumar.

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Haridwar Police closes offline registration for the Chardham Yatra till May 31. Further decision would be taken based on the inflow of tourists.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has announced Rs 5 lakh each as ex-gratia for the kin of the deceased and Rs 50000 will be provided to the injured.

The CM said, "Today, a road accident took place in which19 people lost their lives... This is a sad incident... Chhattisgarh government stands with the victim families in these tough times. Families of the deceased will be given ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakhs and the injured will be provided Rs. 50,000..."

Jammu on Monday recorded the season's hottest day, with the maximum temperature hitting 42.2 degrees Celsius, an official said, as authorities changed the school timing in view of the "extreme hot weather conditions" to provide relief to the students.

The new timing -- 8 am to noon -- came into effect from Monday in all government and private (recognised) schools up to the higher secondary level.

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken says in a social media post on May 20, “Since the Quad Leaders Summit, the US, Australia, India, and Japan have made important strides to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific. The Quad has improved internet connectivity in the region, helped prevent cyberattacks and invested in the next generation of STEM leaders."

The Directorate of Higher Education in Himachal Pradesh on Monday ordered change in school timings for places in the lower hills after a heat wave alert for several districts.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued a heat wave alert for eight out of 12 districts, barring Shimla, Chamba, Kinnau and Lahaul and Spiti.

The unabated heat wave has also left the political leaders in quandary as they are unable to move out during the daytime for campaigning across the state, which goes to polls on June 1 in the last phase of Lok Sabha elections.

BJP National President JP Nadda says, “Arvind Kejriwal's silence on this incident (Swati Maliwal assault case) shows his double standards and the public has seen his real face now...This party has been exposed in Delhi and the country. Everyone knows their situation...The opposition has no issues left...The people of the country will support PM Modi and he will form the government for the third term...”

Police on Monday took Bibhav Kumar, who is accused of assaulting AAP MP Swati Maliwal, to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence for a recreation of the alleged crime scene, an officer said.

Kumar has been interrogated and the statements of around 20 people have been recorded in connection to the case, the Delhi Police officer said.

The statements of the chief minister and his family members may also be taken if required, the officer said.

An employee of a private eatery in the airport here was nabbed with Rs 92 lakh worth gold concealed inside a flask on Monday, Customs officials said.

He was apprehended by personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on suspicion and handed over to the Customs for further probe, they said.

The man was found carrying 1,400 gm of gold, suspected to have been received from an air passenger, in the flask.

-- The Enforcement Directorate has alleged over Rs 7-crore foreign funding to the Aam Aadmi Party between 2014 and 2022, in violation of India’s forex rules.

-- The central probing agency has written to the Ministry of Home Affairs seeking an FCRA probe.

-- The AAP has denied the allegations.

ATS SP Sunil Joshi says, “On May 18, we received information that four people were travelling to Ahmedabad from Sri Lanka... They were going to execute a terror activity and are associated with a banned terrorist organisation... We detained them from the airport. They told us that they are Sri Lankan residents. Recently, they have been in contact with an ISIS handler, Abu... On Abu's instruction, they came to India to carry out terrorist activity... We recovered the ISIS flag from the place where we recovered arms and ammunition...”

"An ex-gratia will be announced soon. The accident took place because the brakes had failed... I will visit the site where the accident took place," says Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma.

“All the bodies have been sent to their homes. Thirteen were killed on the spot, while five died on their way to the hospital. One more person died in the district hospital. Total of 19 people have died till now,” says Block Medical Officer (BMO) Anamika Pal.

A huge crowd gathered in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam today waving Iranian flags to pay tributes to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who lost his life in a helicopter crash.

Raisi, Iran's foreign minister and others were found dead at the site of a helicopter crash on Monday after an hours long search through a foggy, mountainous region of the country's northwest, state media reported.

The Delhi High Court will pronounce its verdict on Manish Sisodia’s bail plea on May 21.

Notably, a Delhi court had on May 15 extended the judicial custody of AAP leader and former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia till May 30 in a corruption case related to the Delhi Excise Policy Scam Case. Special judge for CBI and ED Kaveri Baweja also fixed May 30 for further arguments on framing of charges in the case.

“We've been trying for almost 20 years now to reach an agreement with Iran. We could have a short-term agreement because there were a lot of problems on their side. But in recent months, thanks to the two people who unfortunately died yesterday in the helicopter crash -- because of their interest and initiative, we were able to finalize a long-term agreement.”

“This is very important because one of the big things in the world connectivity corridor... India's position will be very much at the centre of this whole thing. It will benefit us. So, the Chabahar port agreement is something bigger than a port. It is part of a connectivity change that we are looking at, and that's why we are very keen to go forward...”

“A total of 19 people died and three people were injured after a pick-up vehicle fell into a gorge. Thirty-six people were travelling in the vehicle. An FIR has been registered and investigation is underway,” says Abhishek Pallav, Kawardha SP.

“We all should expect the coming years to be very difficult...Nobody expected that there would be a war in Ukraine...We are now in the third year of war with Ukraine with no end in sight...Nobody expected this kind of an attack on Israel in October or when Israel responded this would go for so long...It has been already over six months...Once you turn on the switch it is very difficult to turn it off...India needs peace for ourselves and for the world...The first thing for India's diplomacy is Bharat first, we must make sure Bharat is secure, at peace, and terrorist attacks are not carried out against our country... If there are we must make sure that there is a strong punishment for those who carried out the attack.”

-- Fire breaks out in a clothing showroom in Karol Bagh in Delhi.

-- Eight vehicles of the fire department rushed to the spot

-- The Gujarat ATS stated that it has collected evidence indicating the individuals' commitment to join the terrorist organisation Islamic State (IS), follow the path shown by Abu Bakr Baghdadi, and retaliate against those who commit atrocities against the Muslim community, as well as targeting Jews, Christians, and members of the BJP-RSS.

-- The Government has announced state mourning on May 21 as a mark of respect for Iran President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash.

-- The national flag to be flown at half-mast all over India, no official entertainment during state mourning.

Two mobile phones have been recovered from them, which contain photographs and videos proving their active membership with the ISIS. The mobile phones had a picture of the Nana Chiloda area near Ahmedabad, which showed the place where ammunitions were hidden to carry out the terror attack.

Pakistan-made ammunition has been recovered from the recovered location, which includes three Pakistan-made pistols and 20 active cartridges.

Updates: 4 arrested terrorists were in touch with Pakistan-based ISIS leader

Providing further details on the arrest of the 4 ISIS terrorists, Gujarat DGP Vikash Sahay said they had been in touch with an ISIS leader identified as Abu, who resides in Pakistan, since February 2024 via social media.

Abu had encouraged them to carry out a terror attack in India; they four arrested terrorists were prepared to launch a suicide bombing attack as well. They were Rs 4 lakh rupees in Sri Lankan currency by the said ISIS leader.

Updates: Arrested ISIS terrorists were travelling from Chennai to Ahmedabad via IndiGo, informs Gujarat DGP Vikash Sahay

Gujarat DGP Vikash Sahay says, "Information was received that 4 people, namely, Mohammad Nusrat, Mohammad Nufran, Mohammad Faris and Mohammad Razdin. These 4 people are Sri Lankan nationals and are active members of the banned terror outfit Islamic State. All four of them are completely radicalised by the ISIS ideology and they are going to come to India to commit a terror attack.”

“As per the information, they were going to reach Ahmedabad on May 18 or 19 either by railway or flight... Teams were formed and strategy was created based on the information received...Passenger lists of trains and flights coming from the south were analysed... All 4 of them were travelling from Chennai to Ahmedabad on the same PNR no. through an Indigo flight... Verification was done in Colombo too for confirmation...”

At least two people were killed and 10 others injured when a knife-wielding woman went on a stabbing spree at a primary school in east China's Jiangxi province on Monday.

This is the second such incident being reported in the country this month.

The incident happened in Guixi city and the suspect, a 45-year-old female surnamed Pan, has been brought under control by the police.

Seventeen people have died after a pick-up vehicle overturned near the Kawardha area of Chhattisgarh. Eight people, who sustained injuries, have been taken to a hospital for treatment, Abhishek Pallav, Kawardha SP, said.

-- A magnitude-4 earthquake hits the union territory of Ladakh on May 20.

-- No immediate reports of any casualty or damage.

-- According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), the earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres in Leh at 5.49 am.

Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on May 20 extended the judicial custody of BRS MLC K Kavitha till June 3, in connection with the CBI’s probe against her related to the Excise Policy Case.

Four ISIS terrorists, who are Sri Lankan nationals, arrested at Ahmedabad airport: Gujarat ATS

The Enforcement Directorate has moved an application in court seeking a 14-day extension of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s judicial custody ahead of June 2.

Afghanistan’s Acting Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund reacts to the tragic accident and says, “"We share in the grief of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its people and extend our condolences to all the families of the victims, the nation, and the government of Iran.

"In these difficult times, we stand alongside the people of Iran and pray for forgiveness for all the victims of this incident and for patience for their families."

According to the National Council of Resistance (NCR) Iran, Ali Bagheri Kani has been linked to the country’s foreign ministry for most of his career. According to the NCRI website, he has described himself as a “diplomat” since the 1990s.

Born in 1967, Kani has a PhD in Economics. His career started in the year 1989, when became the international deputy at the Secretariat of the Supreme National Security Council.

Notably, Kani has been a fierce critic of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal or the JCPOA.

According to the National Council of Resistance (NCR) Iran, Ali Bagheri Kani has been linked to the country’s foreign ministry for most of his career. According to the NCRI website, he has described himself as a “diplomat” since the 1990s.

Born in 1967, Kani has a PhD in Economics. His career started in the year 1989, when became the international deputy at the Secretariat of the Supreme National Security Council.

Notably, Kani has been a fierce critic of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal or the JCPOA.

Iran's government cabinet appointed on Monday Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani as acting foreign minister following the death of Hossein Amirabdollahian in a helicopter crash, Reuters reports.

The Iranian Embassy in New Delhi has lowered its flag to half-mast following the deaths of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the Foreign Minister, and other high-ranking officials in a helicopter crash.

The bodies of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, his foreign minister, and other officials killed in a helicopter crash have been transported to Tabriz, state media reported on Monday, citing the Red Crescent.

Pir Hossein Kolivand, head of the Islamic Republic Red Crescent Society (IRCS), announced in a televised statement that the large-scale search and rescue operation concluded with the recovery of the bodies. They have been sent to East Azerbaijan province for burial.

Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge reacted to the death of Iran's president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. He wrote on X, "The Indian National Congress is anguished and dismayed by the passing away of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, following the shocking tragedy. India-Iran relations span centuries marked by meaningful interactions. Every Indian joins in extending our heartfelt condolences to his family. In this time of grief, we stand with the people of Iran."

The Iranian government assures that it will continue to operate "without the slightest disruption" following the death of president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, said a cabinet statement on Monday. "We assure the loyal nation that the path of service will continue with the tireless spirit of Ayatollah Raisi," the statement read.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took to X to offer his condolences to Iran president Ebrahim Raisi and foreign minister H. Amir-Abdollahian. He wrote, "Deeply shocked to hear of the passing away of Iran’s President Dr Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister H. Amir-Abdollahian in the helicopter crash. Recall my many meetings with them, most recently in January 2024. Our condolences to their families. We stand with the people of Iran at time of this tragedy."

Pakistan Prime Minister took to X to put out an official statement regards to the death of Iran's president Ebrahim Raisi. He posted on X, saying: "Heard the distressing news from Iran regarding Hon. President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi’s helicopter. Waiting with great anxiety for good news that all is well. Our prayers and best wishes are with Hon.President Raisi and the entire Iranian nation."

In a follow up post, he wrote, "Pakistan had the pleasure of hosting President Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian on a historic visit, less than a month ago. They were good friends of Pakistan. Pakistan will observe a day of mourning and the flag will fly at half mast as a mark of respect for President Raisi and his companions and in solidarity with Brotherly Iran.

First vice president Mohammad Mokhber has already started receiving calls from officials and foreign governments in Raisi's absence, according to state media. An emergency meeting of Iran's Cabinet was held, and state media announced this on Monday morning. The Cabinet issued a statement afterward, pledging to follow Raisi's path and ensuring that "with the help of God and the people, there will be no problem with managing the country."

* In 2010, the European Union included Mokhber on a list of individuals and entities it was sanctioning for alleged involvement in "nuclear or ballistic missile activities". Two years later, it removed him from the list.

* In 2013, the U.S. Treasury Department added Setad and 37 companies it oversaw to a list of sanctioned entities.

* Setad, whose full name is Setad Ejraiye Farmane Hazrate Emam, or the Headquarters for Executing the Order of the Imam, was set up under an order issued by the founder of the Islamic Republic, Khamenei's predecessor, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. It ordered aides to sell and manage properties supposedly abandoned in the chaotic years after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and channel the bulk of the proceeds to charity

Here are some key facts about Mohammad Mokhber, 68, Iran's first vice president who, based on the country's constitution, is expected to become interim president following the death of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash.

* As interim president, Mokhber is part of a three-person council, along with the speaker of parliament and the head of the judiciary, that will organise a new presidential election within 50 days of the president's death.

* Born on Sept. 1, 1955, Mokhber, like Raisi, is seen as close to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who has the last say in all matters of state. Mokhber became first vice president in 2021 when Raisi was elected president.

* Mokhber was part of a team of Iranian officials who visited Moscow in October and agreed to supply surface-to-surface missiles and more drones to Russia's military, sources told Reuters at the time. The team also included two senior officials from Iran's Revolutionary Guards and an official from the Supreme National Security Council.

* Mokhber had previously been head of Setad, an investment fund linked to the supreme leader.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the first world leaders to react to Iran president Ebrahim Raisi's death in a helicopter crash. He posted on X, writing: "Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His contribution to strengthening India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow."

The most recent fatal crash of a Bell 212 was in September 2023, when a privately operated aircraft crashed off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, according to the Flight Safety Foundation, a non-profit focusing on aviation safety. The most recent Iranian crash of the type was in 2018, killing four people, according to the organisation's database.

Non-military organisations that fly the Bell 212 include Japan's Coast Guard; law enforcement agencies and fire departments in the United States; Thailand's national police; and many others. It is not clear how many Iran's government operates, but its air force and navy have a total of 10, according to FlightGlobal's 2024 World Air Forces directory.

As a utility helicopter - the UH in its military designation represents those words - the Bell 212 is meant to be adaptable to all sorts of situations, including carrying people, deploying aerial firefighting gear, ferrying cargo and mounting weapons.

The Iranian model that crashed on Sunday was configured to carry government passengers. Bell Helicopter advertises the latest version, the Subaru Bell 412, for police use, medical transport, troop transport, the energy industry and firefighting. According to its type certification documents with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, it can carry 15 people, including the crew.

A Bell 212 helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister crashed on Sunday, May 19, according to Iranian state media, as it flew through mountains in bad weather. As just confirmed by Iranian state media, all occupants including Raisi are dead as search teams located the wreckage. The civilian version of the ubiquitous Vietnam War-era UH-1N "Twin Huey," they are in wide use globally by both governments and private operators:

Bell Helicopter developed the aircraft for the Canadian military in the late 1960s as an upgrade of the original UH-1 Iroquois, reports Reuters. The new design used two turboshaft engines instead of one, giving it greater carrying capacity. The helicopter was introduced in 1971 and quickly adopted by both the United States and Canada, according to US military training documents.

All occupants, including president Ebrahim Raisi, of the helicopter that crashed in Iran have been confirmed dead.

The other passengers are:

- Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian

- Governor of Eastern Azerbaijan province Malek Rahmati

- Tabriz’s Imam Mohammad Ali Alehashem

- The Pilot

- The Copilot

- Crew Chief

- Head of Security

- Bodyguard

Iran's vice president Muhammad Mukhbar is expected to take over as president after the death of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, according to multiple reports. This move is pending the approval of the Supreme Leader with the constitution stipulating a new president must be elected within 50 days, the reports added.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi had posted on X last night when the news of the crash was made aware. He wrote, "Deeply concerned by reports regarding President Raisi’s helicopter flight today. We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people in this hour of distress, and pray for well being of the President and his entourage."

Iran’s state television said Monday there was “no sign” of life among passengers of the helicopter which was carrying President Ebrahim Raisi and other officials. “Upon finding the helicopter, there was no sign of the helicopter passengers being alive as of yet,” state TV reported.

Hopes are fading that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister have survived a helicopter crash in mountainous terrain and icy weather, an Iranian official said on Monday after search teams located the wreckage. “We can see the wreckage and the situation does not look good,” the head of Iran’s Red Crescent, Pirhossein Kolivand, told state TV.

Emergency Measures: Iran's Cabinet held an emergency meeting led by Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber. The rescue operation involves more than 60 teams using search dogs and drones, along with army, Revolutionary Guard, and police officers.

Statements from Officials: Iran's Red Crescent chief Pirhossein Koolivand and other officials indicated that the exact location of the accident is still unknown. Rescuers are moving towards an area where the "smell of fuel" was detected.

Background of the Visit: President Raisi was visiting the northwestern province to inaugurate a dam project along with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev on the Iran-Azerbaijan border.

International Concerns: The incident comes at a time of high regional tensions, particularly due to the ongoing Gaza conflict. The situation is being closely monitored internationally, including the US.

Current Status: As of the latest updates, the search continues with significant efforts to locate the missing helicopter and its passengers, despite challenging weather and terrain.

Incident Overview: President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter went missing in East Azerbaijan province. He was accompanies by Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and some others when contact went lost.

Search and Rescue Efforts: Rescue teams are scouring a fog-shrouded mountainous area in the Jolfa region. The search is hampered by harsh weather conditions and heavy fog.

Official Responses: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged calm, assuring Iranians that there will be no disruption in the country's leadership and expressing hope for the safe return of the president and his companions.

International Reactions: Countries, including Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Russia, and Turkey, along with the European Union, have expressed concern and offered assistance in the search efforts.

Details of the Accident: State television reported that the helicopter made a "hard landing" in bad weather. Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi noted the difficulty in establishing communication with the aircraft.

The Gaza war sent regional tensions soaring again and a series of tit-for-tat escalations led to Tehran launching hundreds of missiles and rockets directly at Israel in April this year.

In a speech following Sunday's dam inauguration, Raisi emphasised Iran's support for Palestinians, a centrepiece of its foreign policy since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

"We believe that Palestine is the first issue of the Muslim world, and we are convinced that the people of Iran and Azerbaijan always support the people of Palestine and Gaza and hate the Zionist regime," said Raisi.

Hamas, which the United States and European Union consider a terrorist group, said that "in this painful incident, we express our full solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran, its leadership, government and people".

Ebrahim Raisi has been president since 2021 when he succeeded the moderate Hassan Rouhani, at a time when the economy was battered by US sanctions over Iran's contested nuclear programme.

Iran saw a wave of protests triggered by the death in custody of Iranian-Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in September 2022 after her arrest for allegedly flouting dress rules for women.

In March 2023, regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia signed a surprise deal that restored diplomatic relations.

Foreign countries were closely following the search at a time of high regional tensions over the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas since October 7 that has drawn in other armed groups in the Middle East.

A US State Department spokesman said: "We are closely following reports of a possible hard landing of a helicopter in Iran carrying the Iranian president and foreign minister", adding that "we have no further comment at this time".

US President Joe Biden has been briefed on the crash, an American official said on condition of anonymity.

Iran President Ebrahim Raisi had visited the northwestern province to inaugurate a dam project together with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, on their common border. Aliyev said in a post on X that "we were profoundly troubled by the news of a helicopter carrying the top delegation crash-landing in Iran". "Our prayers to Allah Almighty are with President Ebrahim Raisi and the accompanying delegation," he said, also offering "any assistance needed".

Iran's cabinet held an emergency meeting led by Vice President Mohammad Mokhber after the incident, IRNA reported. Preisdent Ebrahim Raisi's convoy had included three helicopters, and the other two had "reached their destination safely", said the Tasnim news agency.

More than 60 rescue teams using search dogs and drones were sent to the mountainous protected forest area of Dizmar near the town of Varzaghan, the IRNA news agency reported.

Army, Revolutionary Guard, and police officers joined the search, authorities said, as TV stations showed pictures of Red Crescent teams walking up a hill in the mist, and rows of waiting emergency response vehicles.

Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said the helicopter "made a hard landing" in bad weather and that it was "difficult to establish communication" with the aircraft.

He urged people to get their information "only from state television", and not listen to foreign media channels Iran deems hostile to the Islamic republic.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani expressed gratitude for "governments and international organisations for their sympathy and offer of help in the search and rescue operations." State television first reported in the afternoon that "an accident happened to the helicopter carrying the president" in the Jolfa region.

"The harsh weather conditions and heavy fog have made it difficult for the rescue teams to reach the accident site," said one broadcaster, as the massive search effort later continued into the night.

Iran's Red Crescent chief Pirhossein Koolivand told state TV the area of the accident "has yet to be identified" and that the situation remained "difficult".

He later said rescuers were moving toward one location where the "smell of fuel" had been detected.

The supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, urged Iranians to "not worry" about the leadership of the Islamic republic, saying "there will be no disruption in the country's work".

"We hope that Almighty God will bring our dear president and his companions back in full health into the arms of the nation," he said in a nationally televised address as Muslim faithful prayed for Raisi's safe return.

Expressions of concern and offers to help came from abroad, including Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Russia and Turkey, as well as from the European Union which activated its rapid response mapping service to aid in the search effort

Iran was thrown into uncertainty Sunday as search and rescue teams scoured a fog-shrouded mountain area after President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter went missing in what state media described as an "accident".

Fears grew for the 63-year-old ultraconservative after contact was lost with the aircraft carrying him as well as Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and others in East Azerbaijan province, reports said.

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