A military helicopter belonging to the Iranian Army’s Aviation unit crashed Tuesday morning into a wholesale fruit and vegetable market in the city of Darcheh, located in the Khomeyni Shahr County of Isfahan Province.
According to Iranian state media and the semiofficial Tasnim News Agency, the aircraft involved was a Bell 209 (AH-1J SeaCobra) attack helicopter. The crash resulted in the deaths of at least four people and left several others injured.
The helicopter went down during a routine training mission, striking the compound of the local market and triggering a massive fire. Authorities have confirmed that both military officers were killed instantly upon impact.
Two vendors working at their stalls in the market were killed as the aircraft plowed into the crowded commercial area. At least one additional person was reported injured and transported to a nearby medical facility.
Emergency services and firefighters from the Isfahan Red Crescent Society rushed to the scene to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading through the densely packed market stalls.
