(Reuters) – Protesters in a number of cities in Iran chanted anti-government slogans in a single day, together with “loss of life to Khamenei”, over a lethal building collapse within the southwest of the nation, movies posted on social media confirmed.
Officials stated the loss of life toll had risen to 34 on Tuesday, with one other 37 injured within the May 23 collapse of the 10-storey residential and business building in Abadan within the oil-producing area of Khuzestan. Rescue employees continued to seek for victims beneath the rubble, they stated.
Authorities are blaming the collapse of the Metropol Building on particular person corruption and lax security and say 13 folks have to this point been arrested for development violations.
Iranian protesters, nevertheless, blame it on authorities negligence and endemic corruption.
Shouts of “loss of life to Khamenei”, a reference to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, are heard on an unverified video shared on Twitter, which provides the situation because the south Tehran district of Nazi-abad.
Anti-Khamenei slogans are thought-about a crimson line for the Islamic Republic.
Another unverified video reveals riot police roaming on bikes in the identical space, apparently to disrupt or intimidate protesters.
In the southern port metropolis of Bushehr, protesters are heard shouting “Death to the dictator”, additionally a reference to Khamenei.
“They’re mendacity that it is America; our enemy is correct right here,” they shout. That is a typical slogan throughout anti-government protests in Iran.
Videos of protests in different Iranian cities are additionally posted on social media.
Iranian police have used tear gasoline and fired pictures within the air to disperse crowds and have clashed with demonstrators in the course of the week-long protests.
In protecting the catastrophe, official Iranian media have primarily proven spiritual mourning and funeral processions. Speaking on state tv, Abadan’s governor has warned folks to solely observe official media and eschew “rumours” from social media.
Iranians are already pissed off with excessive meals costs and financial issues at a time when efforts have stalled to obtain a revival of a 2015 nuclear cope with world powers and, with it, reduction from sanctions.
