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Army helicopter crashes in central Iran, killing four: state media

Two pilots, as many fruit vendors killed in incidents reported from Dorcheh city

By AFP & Reuters
February 24, 2026
Rescue agencies work at the scene after an Iranian Army helicopter crashed into a fruit and vegetable market in the city of Dorcheh, Isfahan province, Iran on February 24, 2026. — X@MehrnewsCom
Rescue agencies work at the scene after an Iranian Army helicopter crashed into a fruit and vegetable market in the city of Dorcheh, Isfahan province, Iran on February 24, 2026. — X@MehrnewsCom

An Iranian Army helicopter went down in a fruit market in Isfahan province on Tuesday, leaving the pilot, co-pilot, and two shopkeepers dead, state media reported.

The helicopter crashed down in the city of Dorcheh, causing a fire that was put out by emergency services, the reports added.

The pilot, co-pilot, and two fruit vendors on the ground were killed, the official IRNA news agency said, attributing the crash to "a technical malfunction".

Sanctions-hit Iran has suffered several air disasters in recent years, with officials complaining of difficulties acquiring spare parts to keep its ageing fleets in the air.

Experts say Iran has a poor air safety record, with repeated crashes, many involving aircraft bought before the 1979 Islamic Revolution and lacking original spare parts for maintenance.

Last week, a US-built F-4 fighter belonging to Iran's regular air force crashed in the western province of Hamadan, killing one pilot during a training flight.