07 Jan 2020 | 03:38 PM UTC
Iran: Death toll from funeral stampede in Kerman rises to 50 January 7 /update 5
As many as 50 killed and more than 200 injured in stampede during Suleimani’s funeral procession in Kerman January 7; avoid the area
Event
A stampede erupted during military commander Qassem Soleimani's burial in Kerman on Tuesday, January 7, killing as many as 50 people and injuring more than 200 others. The funeral has been postponed as a result of the incident. Emergency services are reportedly at the scene and rescue operations are ongoing as of Tuesday evening (local time). A heightened security presence is to be expected over the coming hours in Kerman as crowds disperse and the procession ends.
Large gatherings, heightened security measures, and transportation disruptions are to be expected in the vicinity of all related processions and events. Other public and commemorative events may be held in the capital Tehran and other major urban areas throughout the country in the coming days.
Context
Soleimani was killed along with Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), and six other individuals while traveling near Baghdad International Airport (BGW) on January 3. According to the US Department of Defense, Soleimani was "actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region."
Advice
Individuals in Iran are advised to monitor developments to the situation, respect local customs, refrain from discussing political topics in public or on social media, anticipate heightened security measures, and transportation disruptions near associated events, and avoid all public gatherings as a precaution.
