At least 40 people were killed, and more than 200 injured, in a stampede at the funeral for Qassem Soleimani. The Major General was killed by a U.S. drone strike on January 3rd in Iraq. All Iranians, whether they supported Soleimani or not were encouraged to attend ceremonies today to mourn the high ranking Iranian official. This meant the roads were packed, especially in the general’s hometown where the burial procession was taking place. The Wall Street Journal writes:
The stampede was caused by overcrowding as mourners gathered to pay their respects to Gen. Soleimani in the city of Kerman, Pirhossein Koulivand, the head of Iran’s emergency medical services, told state television.
Gen. Soleimani was initially scheduled to be buried in Kerman, his hometown, on Tuesday, but organizers postponed it because the large crowds prevented vehicles from reaching the cemetery.
There is no word on when the burial will now take place.
Images and videos posted on social media showed the aftermath of the crush, with emergency workers and bystanders attempting to resuscitate people lying on the ground. The lifeless bodies of other victims, jackets covering their faces, could be seen nearby.
Take a look at more from Al Jazeera above.
