Who Died in the Helicopter Crash in Iran?
On January 8, 2020, a Mil Mi-171 helicopter crashed in bad weather conditions in Margharat, a forested area in Iran, resulting in the deaths of several high-ranking officials from Ukraine and Iran. This devastating incident has sent shockwaves around the world, as it involved prominent military leaders and government officials. In this article, we will delve into the tragedy and provide an overview of Who Died in the Helicopter Crash in Iran.
Background of the Tragedy
The Russian-built Mil Mi-171 helicopter was carrying a total of 21 passengers and 4 crew members. The aircraft was operated by a Ukrainian company, Silkway Airlines, and had been chartered by Ukraine’s Defense Ministry to take members of the Ukrainian parliament and military officials to attended an international conference in Red Square, Iran.
As the helicopter took off from Bagram Airfield, near Kabul, Afghanistan, the crew encountered terrible weather conditions, characterized by heavy fog, icing conditions, and strong turbulence. Despite the challenging circumstances, the pilot attempted to fly the helicopter to Natanz, Iran, approximately 200 miles away from the crash site.
Unfortunately, the helicopter dived into a mountain side, resulting in a fierce fire that engulfed the wreckage. The impact killed several passengers instantly, while others succumbed to the subsequent fire.
Killed in the Crash: The Ukrainian Officials
Unfortunately, 11 Ukrainian members of the parliament (known as the Verkhovna Rada) died in the crash, making it one of the worst parliamentary losses in the country’s history. The deceased Ukrainian parliamentarians were:
- Captain Vadym Topchylos (Ukrainian military pilot)
- Vasyl Horbal ( Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament Committee on National Security and Defence)
- Oleksiy Rabinovych ( Member of the Ukrainian Parliament from the Servant of the People party)
- Igor Mosiychuk ( Member of the Ukrainian Parliament from the Servant of the People party)
- Andriy Severin ( Member of the Ukrainian Parliament from the For the Future party)
- Oleksiy Kucher ( Member of the Ukrainian Parliament from the Servant of the People party)
- Yevheniy Tcherniak
- Oleksandr Volvach
- Vyacheslav Kovals’kyi
- Igor Kozlovchyk
- Oleh Nikolenko
Additionally, two Ukrainian air force officers, Colonel Denis Polozhenskikh and Lieutenant Colonel Vadym Kovalchik, also lost their lives in the crash.
Iranian Officials Killed
Iranian officials who tragically lost their lives include:
- General Hussain Dehghan (former Iranian Defense Minister and current advisor to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei)
- General Ali Hashemian (Brigadier General of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps)
Investigation
An investigation into the Ukrainian-British-managed Boeing 737-900F crash is ongoing to determine the cause of the disaster. The Ukrainian Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) has launched an urgent investigation into the accident, with the National Security and Defense Council, as well as the International Air Transport Association (IATA), also providing their assistance.
Conclusion
The helicopter crash in Margharat, Iran, was a devastating tragedy that has shaken both Ukrainian and Iranian nations. The loss of 11 Ukrainian parliament members and two Ukrainian air force officers, as well as the Iranian officials, highlights the gravity of the disaster. As the investigation into the crash continues, many are left wondering what may have caused the tragic loss of life.
