2 hours ago
Last Updated:February 24, 2026, 13:48 IST
An Iranian army helicopter crashed into a fruit and vegetable market near Isfahan, killing four people, including the pilot, co-pilot and two civilians on the ground.
Helicopter crashes in Iran (Video screengrab/Social Media)
At least four people were killed after an Iranian army helicopter crashed into a fruit and vegetable market in central Iran on Tuesday.
The crash occurred in Khomeinishahr near the city of Isfahan, with emergency services confirming fatalities after the aircraft went down inside a busy market area.
The four deceased included the pilot and co-pilot, as well as two market stall workers who were present at the fruit and vegetable market when the helicopter crashed.
According to the Associated Press, the military helicopter came down in the town of Dorcheh in Isfahan province, about 330 kilometres south of Tehran.
State television footage showed debris scattered across the marketplace and smoke rising from the crash site.
A helicopter crashed a short while ago in the city of Darchah, near Khomeini Shahr in Isfahan Province.According to Iran’s state broadcaster, the crash occurred within the grounds of the city’s fruit and vegetable market complex. The circumstances of the incident remain unclear,… pic.twitter.com/iQTskQMLKK— The Middle Eastern (@TMiddleEastern) February 24, 2026
AP reported that the aircraft had been on a training mission at the time of the accident.
The crash triggered a fire that was later extinguished by emergency responders.
Authorities have not yet released detailed findings on the cause of the crash, though investigations are expected to follow.
AFP, quoting Iran’s official IRNA news agency, reported that the helicopter belonged to the Iranian army’s Air Force and that a “technical malfunction" was believed to have caused the accident.
The incident marks the second aviation accident reported in Iran within less than a week.
A US-built F-4 fighter jet belonging to Iran’s regular air force crashed during a training flight near the western city of Hamedan recently, killing one pilot.
agencies also highlighted Iran’s longstanding aviation safety challenges.
According to AP and AFP reports, analysts have frequently linked repeated crashes to difficulties in maintaining aircraft fleets due to sanctions that restrict access to original spare parts, forcing reliance on ageing helicopters and aeroplanes across both military and civilian sectors.
Meanwhile, emergency crews were deployed to clear debris and secure the crash site as authorities began preliminary assessments.
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First Published:
February 24, 2026, 13:47 IST
News world 4 Dead As Iran Military Helicopter Crashes Into Fruit Market Near Isfahan
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