Arab Tribes Join Abadan Protests and Gunfire by Officials
Images circulated on social media indicate the continuation of protests by Abadan residents regarding the collapse of the Metropol building and the declaration of solidarity by Arab tribes with the protesters. Meanwhile, Iran’s IRNA news agency reported an increase in the death toll to 31 people.
Protest demonstrations related to the collapse of Abadan’s Metropol building continued for another night.
According to videos circulated on social media, on the evening of Sunday, June 8 (May 29), groups of Arab tribes entered Abadan carrying their tribal flags and expressed condolences to the families of the victims through a ceremony.
They warned security forces by chanting that if they open fire on people and resort to violence, they will be met with resistance.
Video images show direct gunfire by security forces toward protesters, the throwing of tear gas, and severe clashes with them.
Chants heard included “Basiji, get out,” “We are all warriors, we will fight until we fight,” and “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid, we are all together.”
Other images also showed protest gatherings in Masjed Soleyman, another city in Khuzestan province.
Death Toll Rises to 31 People
On Monday, June 9, Iran’s IRNA news agency reported the discovery of two more bodies under the rubble of the Metropol building in the early hours of the morning by rescue teams. With the addition of these two people, the death toll from this disaster has reached 31 people.
The Khuzestan governor had previously announced the number of missing persons as 38.
IRNA also wrote that one more person was identified by rescuers, but has not yet been extracted from the rubble due to being trapped under concrete.
Sections of the 10-story Metropol building, which is said to have been constructed with corruption and bribery of responsible officials in violation of legal regulations, collapsed on the second day of Khordad.
Since then, rescue and relief forces have been searching and clearing rubble.
Source: DW
