A stampede Tuesday has reportedly killed at least 56 people and injured more than 200 at the funeral for Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani in his hometown of Kerman, Iran,
Iranian media reported the tragedy, according to the Associated Press.
BREAKING: The death toll in a stampede at the funeral for an Iranian general has risen to 56, Iranian state television says. More than 200 were injured as thousands of people thronged the procession in Tehran. https://t.co/4BMKXpUah9
— The Associated Press (@AP) January 7, 2020
President Donald Trump ordered the killing of Soleimani, which occurred Jan. 3. As the leader of Iran’s Quds Force, Soleimani was believed to be planning new attacks on Americans serving in Iraq, according to a top U.S. official
At least 35 have been killed in a stampede at the funeral of terror leader Qasem Suleimani in his hometown of Kerman, Iran. His burial has been postponed as a result. Videos on state TV show mass numbers of Iranians screaming & crying to mourn his death. https://t.co/3LLPyB3k0i
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) January 7, 2020
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei openly wept Monday at Soleimani’s memorial service in Tehran. An Iranian Member of Parliament has reportedly called for an attack on the White House in response to the general’s death, calling the killing “a declaration of war.”
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei openly weeps at the funeral of MGen Qasem Soleimani, Jan. 6, 2020. Twitter screenshot.
Millions of Iranians reportedly crammed the streets of the town while a decorated truck carried Soleimani’s body. (RELATED: Soleimani Was Planning ‘Imminent Attacks’ That Could Of Killed Hundreds Of Americans, Top US Official Says)
“Unfortunately, as a result of a stampede, some of our compatriots have been injured and some have been killed during the funeral processions,” Pirhossein Koulivand, Iranian emergency medical services chief, told the news agency the “semi-official ISNA news agency,” according to the AP.
After the panic, hundreds of people were seen lying on the ground with emergency workers trying to revive the injured. Dozens of others have apparently been left for dead, The New York Times reported. (RELATED: Michael Moore Offers Personal Assistance To Iran To ‘Fix This Peacefully’)
Iranian mourners carry a picture of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R) granting the Order of Zolfaghar, the highest military honour of Iran, to General Qasem Soleimani, during the latter’s funeral procession in the capital Tehran on January 6, 2020.
During the Tehran funeral, people in the streets reportedly chanted “Death to America,” with one poster reading: “It is our right to seek a harsh revenge,” reinforcing words from Iranian leaders. (RELATED: Michael Moore Offers Personal Assistance To Iran To ‘Fix This Peacefully’)
Khamenei is also promising to enact revenge against the American “criminals” responsible for the death of Soleimani, following the storming of the American embassy in Baghdad on Dec. 31 and thereafter.
Trump is advising Khamenei against further action and is promising to hit 52 targets in Iran “very swift and very hard” if Iran retaliates.
Editor’s Note: This post has been updated to reflect the reported number of deceased and injured.