Search Operations Continue for the Crashed Tehran-Yasuj Flight

According to rescue officials, the second day of search operations for the crashed "Aseman" airline flight from Tehran to Yasuj began on the morning of Monday, February 19. The governor of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad stated on Sunday that the search for the downed aircraft had ended without any results and would resume on Monday with improved weather conditions. Ali Mohammad Ahmadi, the governor, mentioned that "despite 10 hours of efforts by rescue teams, no trace of the crashed Tehran-Yasuj aircraft has been found." On Monday morning, the head of the emergency services in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad told the IRNA news agency that "today there is a possibility of using drones and helicopters if weather conditions allow." Jalal Pouranfard stated that 80 technicians from several provinces are continuing the search in the probable crash area around Kohangan. The ATR 72 passenger aircraft of Aseman Airlines disappeared from radar on Sunday and was later reported to have crashed in a mountain near the city of Semiram in Isfahan. Reports indicate that the aircraft was carrying 60 passengers, two flight attendants, two pilots, and two security personnel. Aseman Airlines has stated that all passengers have lost their lives. After the crash, several rescuers and rescue teams from Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad and other provinces of Iran, including Fars and Isfahan, were sent to areas where the aircraft is believed to have crashed. The deputy coordinator of urban affairs in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad told the Tasnim news agency that "we have identified a triangle where operations will begin on Monday if weather conditions are favorable." According to Aziz Fili, this is done "to expedite the search for the wreckage of the aircraft." Search operations on Sunday were halted due to weather conditions and reduced visibility in the area where the aircraft is believed to have crashed. The Dena mountain range, where the aircraft disappeared from radar, is approximately 70 to 80 kilometers long, with over 40 peaks exceeding four thousand meters in height. The crashed Aseman Airlines aircraft was an ATR 72-200 model, which is used for short-haul flights and has propeller engines. The Iranian state news agency reports that the crashed aircraft had been in service with Aseman Airlines since 1993 and was a total of 25 years old. It has been reported that the aircraft had experienced technical issues in 2013, but the pilot, Hojjatollah Foolad, was able to land it safely. Using reports from ISNA, IRNA, and Tasnim.