Tehran: A military helicopter operated by Iran’s army crashed in central Iran on Tuesday, killing four people and sending debris into a town located near a major nuclear facility, officials said.
Training Mission Ends in Tragedy
The helicopter went down in Dorcheh, a town in Isfahan province, during what authorities described as a routine training flight. Emergency teams rushed to the site after the aircraft burst into flames, with thick smoke seen rising from the crash zone.
Crew and Civilians Among the Dead
Officials confirmed that the pilot and co-pilot died in the crash. Two civilians on the ground — believed to be workers at a nearby fruit and vegetable market — were also killed when the helicopter slammed into the area.
No Impact on Nuclear Facilities
Dorcheh is located in Isfahan province, which hosts key Iranian military and nuclear installations. However, authorities said there were no reports of damage to any nuclear infrastructure.
Probe Underway
The cause of the crash has not yet been determined, and an investigation is in progress. Iran has faced several aviation accidents in recent years, often attributed by observers to the country’s aging aircraft fleet and sanctions-related maintenance challenges.
The incident comes shortly after another military aviation mishap in Iran involving a fighter jet during a training exercise.
