# Raisi killed in helicopter crash (19 May 2024)

URL: https://allhistories.com/iran/timeline/2024-raisi-killed-in-helicopter-crash
Location: Varzaqan, East Azerbaijan
Themes: Disaster

A helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and others crashes in fog in mountainous terrain near Varzaqan in East Azerbaijan, after the inauguration of a dam on the Azerbaijani border. Rescuers find the wreckage the next morning; all eight aboard are dead. Investigators cite bad weather. Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber becomes acting president.

## Why it matters
Raisi's death removed a leading candidate to succeed Khamenei and forced an early presidential election.

Ruler at the Time: [Ali Khamenei](https://allhistories.com/iran/rulers/ali-khamenei)

Acting President of Iran: Mohammad Mokhber (Independent)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — 2024 Varzaqan helicopter crash](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Varzaqan_helicopter_crash)
- [Wikipedia — Ebrahim Raisi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebrahim_Raisi)
- [Al Jazeera: Iran's President Raisi killed in a helicopter crash](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/19/president-raisis-helicopter-crashed-in-iran-what-we-know-so-far)
- [Wikipedia — Islamic Republic (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran)