Arabic version: تحطم مروحية في سوق إيراني يودي بحياة أربعة أشخاص

An army helicopter tragically crashed into a fruit market in Dorcheh, Isfahan province, on Tuesday morning, resulting in the deaths of two military pilots and two merchants. The incident is believed to have been caused by a technical fault in the aircraft, according to state media reports.

The Army Aviation Training Centre identified the deceased pilots as Colonel Hamed Sarvazad, the pilot; and Major Mojtaba Kiani, his co-pilot. Footage from the scene showed emergency responders battling flames as they worked to extinguish the fire caused by the crash.

Local judiciary chief Asadollah Jafari has initiated an investigation into the crash, with investigators dispatched to the site. This incident follows another recent crash involving an Iranian Air Force fighter jet, which resulted in one pilot’s death and another’s survival after ejection.

Iran’s military aviation faces challenges due to aging aircraft fleets, a situation exacerbated by decades of sanctions imposed by the US and its allies. While Iran has sought to upgrade its capabilities, including purchasing aircraft from Russia, the delivery of advanced jets has yet to occur.

According to Al Jazeera, the crash coincides with heightened tensions between the US and Iran, as new nuclear talks are anticipated in Geneva. Iranian officials have expressed their refusal to submit to US pressure amidst increased military presence in the region.