Pakistan observes day of mourning on Iranian President's death

Pakistan is observing a day of mourning over the death of Iranian President Syyed Ebrahim Raisi in the helicopter crash.

The announcement was made by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday on his microblogging site's account.

In a statement, the premier said that Pakistan had the "pleasure of hosting President Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian on a historic visit less than a month ago".

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… https://t.co/fVP26Mtiyr

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 20, 2024

"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," he added.

President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed "profound shock and sorrow over the tragic death of the President of Iran".

"President Raisi will be dearly missed and fondly remembered in Iran, Pakistan, and the Islamic World for his efforts to enhance relations with regional and Islamic countries," a statement issued by the President house read.

President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed profound shock and sorrow over the tragic death of the President of Iran, Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, in a helicopter crash yesterday.

— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) May 20, 2024

"May Allah Almighty bless his soul and grant patience and strength to his family and the people of Iran in this time of irreparable loss," the statement added quoting President Zardari.

Raisi and his staff were killed in a helicopter crash in the mountains of East Azerbaijan province, state media confirmed on Monday.

"President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and a group of officials accompanying them were martyred in a helicopter crash in northwestern Iran," the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) said in a statement.

East Azarbaijan Province’s Governor Malek Rahmati, the head of Raisi’s guard team Mehdi Mousavi and Mohammad Ali Al-e-Hashem, the Supreme Leader’s representative in the East Azerbaijan province, were also onboard helicopter.

State media reported that rescuers located the helicopter's wreckage after a Turkish Akinci drone identified two "heat sources" in the village of Tawal.

The 63-year-old politician was in Azerbaijan on Sunday to inaugurate a dam alongside his counterpart Ilham Aliyev. 

After the ceremony, Raisi and his entourage departed in a convoy of three helicopters to inaugurate another project.

However, Raisi's helicopter lost contact shortly after taking off.

"At around 1 pm, the president left Tabriz to inaugurate two projects, but the helicopter lost contact shortly after leaving," the head of the search and rescue teams, Mohsen Mansouri told the media.

"Three helicopters left Tabriz, but, half an hour later, two lost contact with the one carrying the president," he added.

According to Iran's Interior Minister, a chopper carrying the country's high-officials crashed due to foggy weather.