Iran Goes Viral On Social Media, Following The Helicopter Crash That Killed Its President

Death is something people are expected to experience. But most people don't expect to experience it too soon.

Tragedy strikes, when on a fateful day, the news about a helicopter crash involving Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi circulated heavily on the web, social media and beyond.

The incident occurred in the rugged terrain of Iran.

Because the unfortunate event involves a President, and that it happens during the time its country isn't in good terms with Israel, after launching a barrage of attacks to its soil, the news quickly went viral.

As news spread, rescue teams mobilized swiftly. revealing a grim scene.

Read: #IranIsraelConflict To #IraniansStandWithIsrael, The Battle Between Israel And Iran Sparks World War III Fears

President Raisi was on his way back after an official visit to a remote region when tragedy struck.

He flew with a Bell 212 helicopter, alongside his aides that included: Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Governor-General of East Azerbaijan province Malek Rahmati, and Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, the representative of the Supreme Leader in East Azerbaijan.

The helicopter that had the President in it, departed with two other helicopters in a convoy, en route back to Tabriz, after inaugurating a dam in Khudafarin, located near the border of Azerbaijan and Iran connecting the northern and southern banks of the Aras River.

At the time, the helicopter was travelling in Iran's East Azerbaijan, near the city of Jolfa, on the Azerbaijan–Iran border, when the incident happened.

The realization of something went wrong, happened after some passengers of the helicopter made an emergency call, and after Energy Minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian and Housing and Transportation Minister Mehrdad Bazrpash, who were travelling in the other two helicopters, arrived safely.

Teams were quickly dispatched.

Forty rescue teams from the Iranian Red Crescent Society, the Iranian government, and teams from Iranian allies, were dispatched.

Janez Lenarčič, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, announced that the European Union would activate the Copernicus Emergency Management Service (rapid response satellite mapping) at Iran's request.

People were expecting the worse, because there was no mayday call from the pilot, This indicates a "serious controllability issue."

Experts said that if a helicopter has a serious technical issue mid-flight, the pilot’s first task is to "keep the plane flying, and then communications would be second."

From search-and-rescue teams, drones and specially trained dogs, as well as satellite system aided the search.

But the operation encountered difficulties due to the dense forest terrain.

Making things worse, weather conditions such as heavy rain, fog, and strong winds, also made the operation difficult.

According to reports, the rescue teams were expected to reach the crash site by 20:00, but only were able to get close to it by 20:39.

The teams found the helicopter by 21:16.

From a search-and-rescue operation, the operation became a recovery operation, because there was "no sign of life" at the crash scene, and that the helicopter had completely burned.

All nine passengers and crew were killed, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society.

Before the media could cover the story, the rescue teams and others who managed to reach the crash site, were the first that uploaded the horrific scene.

Raisi, the eighth President of Iran from 2021, was 63 years old when he died.

"The nation doesn't need to be worried or anxious as the administration of the country will not be disrupted at all," said Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, in asking the nation for prayer.

After the death of Raisi is confirmed, prayers for Raisi were held in cities across the country, and that they were encouraged to do so.

Allies began pouring their condolences and well-wishes, including from leaders and representatives from China, India, Pakistan, Türkiye, Syria, Lebanon, Maldives, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Iraq, Malaysia, France, and more.

Others came from Yemen’s Houthi, Palestinian's Hamas, Lebanese Hezbollah, and more.

After the death of Raisi, Vice President Mohammad Mokhber assumed takes the role of Acting President of Iran, with his position confirmed by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on 20 May, until new elections are held.

Then, social media users came in.

At first, the incident went viral on social media platforms worldwide, and people expressed their shock, sympathy, and concern for the victims.

Hashtags like #PrayForIran and #RaisiHelicopterCrash trended as users shared news updates and their thoughts.

But the nature of the internet allows misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation to thrive.

While Raisi's whereabouts were uncertain, a photo emerged on social media showing the President in good health, and that he had been found and was leaving the crash site.

And while social media buzzed with updates, prayers, and expressions of grief, others instead express happiness and joy.

As investigations continue, users on the internet uploaded videos of people celebrating and launching fireworks.

And as for Israel, an official who wishes to remain anonymous, said that Israel had no role in the crash.

"It wasn't us," he said in an interview.

While condolence messages have been pouring in for Raisi from across the world, Israel hadn't issued a formal statement, despite acknowledging the incident.

Funeral ceremonies for Ebrahim Raisi and others who died in the crash take place on 21st of May, in the northwestern city of Tabriz in the morning, followed by a ceremony in the city of Qom, located about 100 kilometers southwest of the capital Tehran.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Bagheri, Iran’s military chief of staff, ordered an investigation into the cause of the helicopter crash.

He ordered "a high-ranking committee to launch an investigation into the cause of the president’s helicopter crash," reports said.

Formet high-ranking Diplomat, and Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif blamed U.S. sanctions for the crash.

Iran's fleet is already old, many of which are deteriorating, and because of that, the Minister claims that the decades-old sanctions prevented Iran from obtaining the parts for the helicopter.

What's more, early investigation suggests that the helicopter Raisi boarded didn't have its signal system turned on or did not possess such a system.

"One of the main culprits of yesterday’s tragedy is the United States, which […] embargoed the sale of aircraft and aviation parts to Iran and does not allow the people of Iran to enjoy good aviation facilities," Zarif said.

"These will be recorded in the list of U.S. crimes against the Iranian people," he added.