Iran Red Crescent to probe chopper crash that injured minister: Aviation agency

Iran’s civil aviation authority says an investigation into the causes of a helicopter crash that injured the country’s sports minister would be carried out by the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) which operated the chopper.

According to Press TV, head of Civil Aviation Organization’s office for safety investigation said on Thursday that the IRCS will be responsible for the helicopter crash that took place earlier in the day in the city of Baft, in southeastern Iran, and killed one and injured 15 others, including Iranian Sports Minister Hamid Sajjadi.

“This helicopter was not on aviation organization’s register and it was carrying out a government assignment and the government will decide on the investigation procedure,” said Hassan Rezaeifar.

Sajjadi, a team of Iranian Sports Ministry officials, two local journalists and four crew members were onboard the helicopter when it crashed just before landing at a stadium in Baft around midday local time.

Esmail Ahmadi, a senior advisor to Sajjadi, died in the incident because of the severity of his injuries. The minister himself suffered minor brain hemorrhage but his condition was described as stable by local health officials.

The officials were on the visit to Baft to inaugurate new sports facilities in the region which is located in the Iran’s Province of Kerman.

ME