President orders national flag to be flown at half-mast following death of Iran's President Dr Ebrahim Raisi

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced today, that the Maldives national flag would be flown at half-mast for three days in mourning for Iran's late President, Dr Ebrahim Raisi.

The helicopter in which Raisi was traveling crashed on his way back from an official visit to the border with Azerbaijan in Iran's northwest to inaugurate a dam project.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdullah Hain, governor of Iran’s East Azerbaijan Province Malik Rahmati, an imam in the city of Tabriz Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem were killed alongside Raisi.

The pilot, co-pilot, crew chief and bodyguard were also killed in the crash.

President's Office said that the national flag would be flown at half-mast from Tuesday, May 21, 2024, to Thursday, May 23, 2024.

Rescue teams were able to reach the helicopter more than 15 hours after the crash. Rescue crews said they had located the destroyed aircraft with nine people on board.

Following Raisi's death, Iran's first vice president, Mohammad Mokhber, is expected assume the presidency temporarily. The Iranian constitution stipulates that the first vice president take over "in the event of the president's death, dismissal, resignation, absence or illness for more than two months".

Presidential elections to pick a permanent successor are to be held within 50 days, according to the constitution.

World leaders have expressed their condolences over the death of Raisi.