South Korea on Monday expressed condolences over the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash.

“The government of the Republic of Korea expresses its deepest condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families and the people of Iran over the passing of President Raisi and his accompanying entourage in the helicopter accident on May 19,” the foreign ministry said in a released statement.

The ministry added Seoul “sincerely wishes that the Iranian people will overcome together their grief of having lost a leader in an unexpected accident.”

Iran’s state media confirmed Raisi’s death earlier in the day, saying he and several other government officials accompanying him were found dead hours after their helicopter crashed in a mountainous region of the country’s northwest.

Source: Yonhap News Agency