The funeral ceremonies for Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi and his companions, who tragically died in a helicopter crash, continued for the second day today. The ceremony was held at the University of Tehran, with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei presiding over the somber event.
Crowds of mourners from various walks of life gathered at the university to pay their respects. Following the funeral service, a mourning procession made its way to Azadi Square, joined by countless grief-stricken citizens.
The previous day saw separate funeral services in the cities of Tabriz and Qom. After these ceremonies, the bodies were transported to the Grand Mosalla in Tehran for the night.
President Raisi is scheduled to be buried in the holy city of Mashhad on Thursday afternoon. The city is home to the revered shrine of Imam Reza, making it a significant final resting place for the late president.
The tragic accident occurred on Sunday, after President Raisi had inaugurated two dams near the border with Azerbaijan. He, along with his entourage, was en route to the northwestern city of Tabriz when their helicopter crashed in a mountainous area of East Azerbaijan province. The wreckage was discovered on Monday morning in a snow-covered region.
Iranian state television reported that the helicopter was completely destroyed with no signs of life. The crash claimed the lives of President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, East Azerbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati, the Supreme Leader's Representative in East Azerbaijan Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, and Head of Presidential Guard Mehdi Mousavi. The helicopter's pilot and co-pilot also perished in the accident.
The nation remains in deep mourning as investigations continue into the cause of the crash. The loss of President Raisi and other key officials has plunged Iran into a state of profound grief and uncertainty.
Comment: