Explosions occurred at noon on Wednesday near the cemetery where Qassem Soleimani is buried in the southeastern Iranian city of Kerman, state media reported, killing at least 53.
The blasts occurred as crowds gathered in the area for the fourth anniversary of the killing of the commander of the Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guards in a US operation in Baghdad. Rescue services said the explosions were caused by vehicles carrying suicide bombers.
Breaking🚨 Iran🇮🇷
At least 49 people were injured in Iran's Kerman province after four massive "explosions" hit the cemetery where extremist Soleimani is buried. pic.twitter.com/P03N8qybLN
— I$lami© Terrorist (@raviagrawal3) January 3, 2024
Iranian television reported at least 71 wounded.
State television showed Red Crescent rescue workers tending to the wounded at the ceremony, where hundreds of Iranians had gathered for the anniversary.
BREAKING: At least 20 people died following explosions in Iran's city of Kerman near a cemetery where slain commander Qassem Soleimani is buried.# Iran #Kerman #Qassem_Soleimani pic.twitter.com/ghfha0sQfm
— Politicspedia (@Politicspedia23) January 3, 2024
"Our rapid response teams are evacuating the wounded... But there are crowds blocking roads," Reza Fallah, head of the Red Crescent in Kerman province, told state television.
Soleimani, 62 at the time of his death, was considered a key player in Iran's military operations in the Middle East and had for many years been involved in activities across the region.
Source: protothema.gr