A helicopter carrying Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi made a “difficult landing” on Sunday, local media reported. Raisi’s condition is unknown and emergency crews are unable to find the helicopter, the country’s interior minister Ahmad Vahidi said on Sunday.

“Given the complexities of the region, connection has been difficult, and we are hoping that the rescue teams reach the helicopter and can give us more information,” Vahidi said. A search team of drones and dogs are facing difficulties in locating the helicopter due to foggy conditions, he added.

The accident occurred near the border of Iran and Azerbaijan, close to the city of Jolfa. Raisi was visiting Azerbaijan over the weekend to celebrate the inauguration of a new dam on the Aras River in northwestern Iran.

According to Tasnim, Ayatollah Al Hashem Imam of Tabriz, Hossein Amir Abdollahian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Malik Rahmati Governor of East Azerbaijan, and others reportedly accompanied Raisi on the helicopter.

“From the beginning of this incident being reported regarding the President’s helicopter, Red Crescent Relief Forces and auxiliary military and law enforcement forces have started a widespread effort to find this helicopter,” Tasnim reported. “Some of the president’s companions on this helicopter were able to communicate with Central Headquarters, raising hopes that the incident could have ended without casualties.”

Raisi is an ally of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and became president in June 2021. He was previously in charge of Iran’s judiciary and in 2019, was sanctioned by the Treasury Department for his role in approving the mass executions of political prisoners in 1988.