Search teams find Iranian plane crash site

Iranian rescue teams on Monday arrived at the site of a Sunday plane crash that killed all 65 passengers and crew members on board. Aseman Airlines ATR-72 crashed into Mount Dena before it arrived at its destination in the southern Iranian city of Yasuj. State television reported that high winds and heavy snow initially prevented helicopters from joining the search for the crash victims. The Iranian Press TV network said search teams arrived at the crash site before dawn. The network showed footage of ambulances, rescue vehicles, and helicopters preparing to leave for the Mount Dena, which rises 14,435 feet above sea level. Aseman Airlines spokesman Mohammad Taghi Tabatabai confirmed to state media that everyone on board died in the crash. “After searching the area, we learned that unfortunately … our dear passengers had lost their lives,” he said. In October, Aseman grounded the twin-engine turboprop aircraft for seven years, saying it would be “repaired and will be operational after checking and testing.” The aircraft resumed flights just a few months later.