The bodies of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other deceased leaders are currently en route to the city of Tabriz, according to reports from Arab media sources.
Upon their arrival in Tabriz, post-mortem examinations will be conducted to ascertain the cause of their deaths.
Following the completion of the post-mortem procedures, it is anticipated that the bodies will then be transported to the capital city of Tehran. Here, leaders at the official level are expected to pay their respects and offer condolences to the families of the deceased.
The official burial ceremony is scheduled to take place tomorrow, with Ibrahim Raisi likely to be interred in the Iranian city of Mashhad, a significant religious hub for Shia Muslims.
The transfer and funeral arrangements come in the wake of a tragic helicopter crash in Iran's East Azerbaijan province, which claimed the lives of President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and other prominent officials. The nation mourns the loss of these esteemed leaders as preparations are made to honour their memory.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister were killed in a helicopter crash in steep terrain and freezing conditions, multiple Iranian news agencies reports on Monday, adding search teams found the charred wreckage of the helicopter they were travelling in the province of East Azerbaijan.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters, "President Raisi, the foreign minister and all the passengers in the helicopter were killed in the crash," requesting anonymity due to the delicate nature of the situation.
According to Iran's Mehr news agency, "All passengers of the helicopter carrying the Iranian president and foreign minister were martyred," after the deaths were confirmed. The helicopter carrying Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian was totally burned in the crash on Sunday, an Iranian official previously told Reuters.
Although there was no official word on the cause of the crash, State TV reported that images from the scene showed the aircraft colliding with a mountain peak.
First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber has been designated to oversee the country's executive branch and will hold the position for an interim period of 50 days, during which a new presidential election must be conducted. Mokhber has pledged to continue Raisi’s path and ensure the uninterrupted fulfillment of governmental duties.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also announced that Pakistan would observe a day of mourning, and the national flag would fly at half-mast as a mark of respect for Raisi and his companions and in solidarity with Iran.
