Mashhad, Iran - May 23, 2024

Storyline:
The final farewell ceremony for Iran's late President Ebrahim Raisi was held at 14:00 on Thursday (local time) in his hometown of Mashhad, the country's second largest city, with tens of thousands of people taking to the street to pay their respects.

President Raisi, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Governor of East Azarbaijan Province Malek Rahmati, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's Representative to East Azerbaijan Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem and Raisi's bodyguard were confirmed dead on Monday after the helicopter they were traveling in crashed in the country's mountainous northwestern province of East Azerbaijan.

Coffins of Raisi and seven others who died in the air crash were transported to the Iranian capital of Tehran on Wednesday.

Crowds of people gathered to bid a final farewell to Raisi and his entourage. Namat, one of those attending the ceremony to mourn the death of Raisi, was overwhelmed with sadness as he spoke through tears of his admiration for the late president.

"Raisi was a kind man who always served the people," said Namat.

During the ceremony, residents mourned the loss of Raisi and accompanied his body along the street, with many holding pictures of the late president.

Another farewell ceremony was held in Birjand on Thursday, where a large number of local people offered their condolences to the late president through a procession.

The body of Iranian Foreign Minister Abdollahian was laid to rest in Tehran on Thursday.

Prior to that memorial service, Iran had held three farewell ceremonies for Raisi and others on Tuesday morning in Tabriz, the capital of East Azerbaijan province, on Tuesday Afternoon in the city of Qom, Qom province, and on Wednesday in Tehran.

Shotlist:
Mashhad, Iran - May 23, 2024:
1. Various of crowds joining procession to pay tribute to Iran's late President Ebrahim Raisi; vehicle carrying body of Raisi moving slowly;
2. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Namat, resident (full name not given)(partially overlaid with shot 3):
"Raisi was a kind man who always served the people."
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3. Sad eyes of Namat;
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4. Various of crowds at farewell ceremony; people waving national flag of Iran, holding photos of Raisi;
5. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Iman, resident (full name not given)(partially overlaid with shot 6):
"Raisi was one of the presidents who contributed a lot to the prosperity and progress of Iran. All Iranians, especially the people of his hometown -- Mashhad, are deeply saddened by his death."
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6. Crowd at farewell ceremony;
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7. Various of people holding national flag of Iran, photos of Raisi at farewell ceremony;
8. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Hamid, resident (full name not given):
"Raisi was an extraordinary man who rarely rested or took holidays but worked tirelessly for the people. As a worthy person, his name will be recorded in the history of Iran."
9. Crowds attending farewell ceremony; large photo of Raisi on wall;
10. Various of national flag of Iran, crowd at farewell ceremony.

[Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland/Al-Arabiya/Persian language TV Stations outside Iran. Strictly No Access BBC Persian/VOA Persian/Manoto TV/Iran International TV]