Iran finds bodies of plane crash victims, 5 days of national mourning

On May 20, a representative of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) said that the bodies of President Ebrahim Raisi and the officials accompanying him in the plane crash had been found, and announced that the search had ended.

IRCS Director Pirhossein Koolivand said the organization is transferring the victims' bodies to the Tabriz region in northwestern Iran.

On the same day, the Iranian cabinet announced that the country's government will continue to function "without the slightest interruption" after President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash. First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber assumed the presidency after Raisi's death and Iran is preparing to hold early elections. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei approved the appointment of Vice President Mohammad Mokhber to temporarily take over Raisi's position.

Rescue workers carry the bodies of victims from the scene. Photo: IRNA

According to Iran's constitution, the first vice president takes over if the president dies, is fired, resigns, is absent or ill for more than two months. The temporary appointment must be approved by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Presidential elections to choose a successor are to be held within 50 days.

After Iran confirmed that President Raisi and several other officials were killed in a helicopter crash, countries expressed condolences over the incident and expressed solidarity with Iran...

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has declared five days of national mourning for the country's President Ebrahim Raisi.

MINH CHAU

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/iran-tim-thay-thi-the-nan-nhan-vu-may-bay-roi-quoc-tang-5-ngay-post740771.html