• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

List Of Politicians Who Died in Air Crash:  Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was on Sunday killed after the helicopter carrying him crashed in mountainous terrain near the Azerbaijan border. The tragic incident took place in Tavil Village in northwest Iran while Raisi was returning from an event. However, this is not the first instance when an accomplished leader has been killed in such type of crash. There have been a plethora of incidents where the world lost several established leaders in plane/helicopter crashes.

Here’s a look at major aircraft crashes where political leaders were killed.

ALSO READ: Ebrahim Raisi Death: Body Of Iran President Flown To Tabriz, Mohammad Mokhber Takes Over As Interim Head | Updates

Ramon Magsaysay:

Former Philippines President Ramon Magsaysay died on March 17, 1957, after his C-47 plane-- ‘Mt. Pinatubo’-- crashed into Mount Manunggal in Cebu City. Only one of the 25 passengers on board survived the incident. He was posthumously referred to as the ‘Champion of the Masses’ and ‘Defender of Democracy’.

Arvid Lindman:

Former Prime Minister of Sweden, Salomon Arvid Achates Lindman, was killed on December 9, 1936, after his Douglas DC-2 crashed into houses near Croydon Airport in the United Kingdom. The incident was attributed to thick fog in the region.    

Nereu Ramos:

Former Brazil President Nereu Ramos Death died on June 16, 1958, after his Cruzeiro do Sul airliner crashed near Curitiba Afonso Pena International Airport in the state of Parana. He briefly served as interim president of Brazil in the aftermath of the political crisis which culminated in the suicide of President Getulio Vargas.

Abdul Salam Arif:

Abdul Salam Arif, the second President of Iraq, was instrumental in the 1958 revolution that toppled the monarchy in the country. On April 13, 1966, Arif died in a crash involving a de Havilland DH.104 Dove, an Iraqi Air Force plane, near Basra. Following his death, his brother Abdul Rahman Arif succeeded him as president.

Humberto de Alencar Castelo Branco:

Former Brazil President Humberto de Alencar Castelo Branco died on July 18, 1967, after his Castelo Branco's Piper PA-23 Aztec collided mid-air with a Brazilian Air Force Lockheed T-33. He had just relinquished his post when he was killed. Several controversies and conspiracy theories were also circulated following his death.

Sanjay Gandhi:

Sanjay Gandhi, son of former prime minister Indira Gandhi, died on June 23, 1980, after his aircraft crashed mid-air. Gandhi’s aircraft lost control while he was performing an aerobatic manoeuvre after taking off from Delhi’s Safdarjung airport.

Rashid Karami:

Former Lebanon Prime Minister, Rashid Karami, who rose to prominence in the country during the Lebanese Civil War, died on June 1, 1987, after a bomb exploded in his helicopter. Several other occupants were injured in the incident.  

Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq:

Pakistan’s sixth President, Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, died on August 17, 1988, after his C-130 Hercules aircraft crashed in Bahawalpur. However, the cause remained mysterious. Many said it was engine failure while others believed it was sabotage.    

ALSO READ: AAP Claims Arvind Kejriwal’s Life In Danger, Says ‘PMO, BJP Would Be Responsible If Anything Happens’ | Watch

Madhavrao Scindia:

Prominent Congress leader Madhavrao Scindia was killed on September 30, 2001, in a plane crash. His private Beechcraft King Air C90 caught fire mid-air near Uttar Pradesh’s Mainpuri. He was on his way to address a political rally in Kanpur.

Sebastian Pinera:

Former Chile President Sebastian Pinera died in February 2024 after his helicopter crashed into a river in southern Chile. He served as the President for two non-consecutive terms.