The wire service reported that Iranian state television halted all regular programming to broadcast prayers from across the country and scenes of the rescue effort, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Challenging Rescue Conditions
Eyewitnesses and local officials described the scene with a mix of hope and despair.
State TV aired footage of SUVs speeding through a wooded area in a frantic attempt to reach the crash site.
However, heavy mist and poor weather conditions have significantly hampered rescue efforts. Babak Yektaparast, an emergency services spokesman, noted that a rescue helicopter attempted to land near the believed crash site but was thwarted by the dense fog.
The helicopter, part of a convoy of three, was traveling in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province near Jolfa, approximately 375 miles northwest of Tehran, when it made a “hard landing,” according to Iranian state television.
This province is known for its rugged terrain and challenging weather, complicating the already intense rescue efforts.
