State media: At least 73 dead in explosions in Iran
An explosion in the Iranian city of Kerman kills dozens of people. State media also report that dozens are injured. The incident took place near the grave of General Soleimani, whose death is being commemorated for the fourth time today.
On the anniversary of the death of the powerful Iranian general Ghassem Soleimani, there was at least one explosion in his hometown of Kerman mahe his grave, leaving dozens dead. Iranian state media speak of 73 fatalities. There were also 170 injured. Reporters from the state news agency Irna reported the "horrific sound of an explosion". There were also reports from Iranian media about a second explosion.
According to the semi-state news agency Nournews, "several gas canisters exploded on the road to the cemetery". Kerman's deputy governor spoke of a terrorist attack, as the state broadcaster Irib reported. State television showed Red Crescent rescue workers treating the injured at the ceremony, where hundreds of Iranians had gathered to mark the anniversary of Soleimani's death.
Kerman in central Iran is the home of Ghassem Soleimani, the former commander of the foreign units of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC). The USA killed him in a drone attack in Iraq on January 3, 2020. This led to a dramatic escalation of tensions in the region and a retaliatory strike by the Iranian armed forces on a US base in Iraq. Soleimani is revered as a martyr by pro-government supporters.
On Wednesday, too, crowds of people made a pilgrimage through Kerman's streets to Soleimani's grave. In a clip broadcast live on state television, a bang and screams could be heard. During a live broadcast by a reporter, rescuers could be seen rushing to a hospital with injured people in the background. The exact reason for the explosion is initially unclear.
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Today's anniversary commemoration of General Ghassem Soleimani's death in Kerman, Iran, was marred by an explosion near his grave, as reported by Iranian state media, resulting in at least 73 fatalities and over 170 injuries. The incident has led authorities to suspect a terrorist attack.
Source: www.ntv.de
