Protests Continue in Iran; Death Toll from Metropol Collapse Reaches 34
On the ninth day of the Metropol tower collapse, the death toll reached 34 people. Reports of “water infiltration into the basement levels of Metropol” were shared on social media. Protests spread from Khuzestan to Bushehr and Tehran. Demonstrators chanted “Death to the dictator.”
The Deputy Governor of Khuzestan and Special Administrator of Abadan announced that with the discovery of another body of an Abadani citizen from under the rubble, the death toll from the Metropol collapse has reached 34 people.
Nine days after the collapse of the 10-story Metropol building in Abadan, the bodies of some victims remain under the rubble. A worker who worked in the Metropol told the ILNA news agency that on the day of the incident, “dozens of workers were working in the building and now they are all under the rubble. They are still under the rubble…”
State media reported on the dispatch of operational teams and debris removal and search efforts to find individuals, but so far have not been able to extract all victims’ bodies.
Yesterday, reports were also made regarding water infiltration into the basement levels of the Abadan Metropol.
In multiple confirmed reports, the bodies of members of the Jalilian family, or “Uncle Fuzi of Abadan,” owner of the Fuzi ice cream shop in the Metropol tower, were found under the rubble. It is said that of the four members of this family, only the mother survived. The father’s body, reportedly while holding his two sons, was pulled from the rubble after a week.
Arab residents of Khuzestan gathered in front of the Jalilian family’s house to express condolences. The Jalilian family are Kurds living in Abadan.
Continuation and Expansion of Protests
Protests by Abadanis continue despite severe government crackdowns. This city witnessed widespread protests again on Monday evening, June 9th. However, these protests were met with violence from security forces.
Videos and reports published on social media indicate that security forces used tear gas against demonstrators. In some of the broadcast videos, gunfire can also be heard.
The scope of protests expanded beyond Khuzestan cities to other parts of the country, including Bushehr and Tehran.
In videos released from Bushehr, some demonstrators, carrying flags and insignia of the Tehran Esteghlal football team, took to the streets and turned their team’s championship celebrations into protests against the government, chanting “Death to the dictator” and “The enemy is here, they lie that it’s America.”
Support for Abadan in the Stadium
In reports published on social media, football spectators in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium chanted in support of the people of Abadan.
Saeed Hafezi, a journalist covering Khuzestan, wrote on Twitter “From the ridiculous display of saluting the commander to the cry of Tehran’s people in support of Abadan’s people.”
With the expansion of Abadan’s protests to various cities across the country, discussions about “those responsible” and the factors behind the collapse of the 10-story Metropol building have intensified.
The Interior Minister of the Islamic Republic says a “major violation” occurred in the construction of the Metropol building, and it was built as 10 stories instead of six.
Mohammad Javad Ameri, Secretary General of the “Sacrifice Seekers Association,” said on Tuesday, June 11th (May 31st) in an interview with IRNA that government officials, particularly the previous governor, have a role in this matter.
To prevent the spread of news related to people’s protests, the government cut off internet networks in Khuzestan province and other parts of Iran where protests have escalated.
