UPDATES WITH INDIA'S MOURNING ANNOUNCEMENT, REACTION FROM BANGLADESH, CHANGES LEDE, HEADER, NO CHANGE IN DECK
Aamir Latif
KARACHI/NEW DELHI/MALE/DHAKA (AA) - Pakistan and India declared national mourning on Monday, as Asian leaders expressed their condolences over the deaths of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other senior government officials in a tragic helicopter crash.
Tehran confirmed on Monday morning that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and other officials died in a helicopter crash in a mountainous area of East Azerbaijan Province on Sunday afternoon.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed "deepest" condolences on Raisi's death on behalf of his government and the Pakistani people.
In a post on X, he said the "great" Iranian nation will overcome this tragedy with "customary courage."
"Pakistan will observe a day of mourning and the flag will fly at half-mast as a mark of respect for President Raisi and his companions and in solidarity with Brotherly Iran," said Sharif.
India also declared a day of national mourning on Tuesday to express solidarity with the Iranian government and people in the aftermath of Raisi's death.
“As a mark of respect to the departed dignitaries Government of India has decided that there will be one day's state mourning… on the day of mourning, the national flag will be flown at half mast throughout India on all buildings where the national flag is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment on the day,” Indian Home Ministry said in a statement.
Separately, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he is "saddened and shocked" over the demise of Raisi.
"His contribution to strengthening India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow," he wrote on X.
- China, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea condole
Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed deep condolences over Raisi's death, Beijing-based Xinhua news agency reported, citing a brief statement from Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin.
A Japanese government spokesperson also expressed deep condolences to Iran's government and people on the deaths of Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also expressed his condolences for the tragic incident, as the Malay Mail quoted him as saying, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and several other officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
“I had the honour of meeting President Raisi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly last November. He exemplified a deep commitment to the welfare of his people and the dignity of his nation, which represents a proud and rich civilisation rooted in the principles of Islam. His dedication to justice, peace, and the upliftment of the ummah was truly inspiring.
“We committed ourselves to bolstering Malaysia-Iran relations, working together for the betterment of our peoples and the Muslim world. Our pledge will be fulfilled.”
South Korea also expressed its heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families and people of Iran following the president's death in a helicopter crash, said a Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
"(The government) hopes that the people of Iran, who have lost their leader in an unexpected accident, can overcome their grief through unity," said the statement.
- Bangladesh sends condolences
Bangladesh's President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed their "deep" condolences for the deaths of the Iranian president and other senior officials in the accident.
"In this hour of grief, on behalf of the government of Bangladesh and on my own behalf, I convey our deepest condolences to the government and the brotherly people of Iran,” Hasina said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu expressed his "deep sadness" at Raisi's untimely passing.
"I pray to Almighty Allah to bless the souls of President Raisi, Foreign Minister Abdollahian, and others who lost their lives in this unfortunate incident and to grant them Jannatul Firdaus(heaven),” Muizzu said in a post on X.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and people of Iran at this time of profound grief," he added.
Moreover, a top Muslim cleric in Indian-administered Kashmir, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, also expressed "deep" sadness over the tragic death of Iran’s president and foreign minister.
Farooq expressed condolences to the Iranian people, saying: "In this moment of grief, we stand in solidarity with all those mourning this great loss."
Earlier, Iranian Deputy President for Executive Affairs Mohsen Mansouri announced in a message on his X account that everyone on board died, including the president, foreign minister, accompanying delegation, and helicopter crew.
Raisi, Amir-Abdollahian, East Azerbaijan Province Governor Malik Rahmeti, and Tabriz Province Imam Ayatollah Ali Hashim were all on board the helicopter.
*Najmus Saqib in Dhaka contributed to this story