Uncertainty Haunts Families of Arbaeen Pilgrims
Sohila.kh, FCN News Agency: Islamic Republic authorities have not yet announced exact casualty figures from the explosion that occurred Thursday night in Iraq, leaving families of pilgrims in a state of uncertainty.
Particularly since it has been reported that due to the intensity of the explosion, burned bodies are unidentifiable.
On the first day following the incident, it was announced that the number of Iranian fatalities exceeded 60 people. However, their names and which cities they were from remained unclear.
Sudabeh, a relative of one of these pilgrims, told FCN News Agency: “My 64-year-old father went on this journey with a caravan, but we have no information about his fate. Officials claim they have no information either. From what we understand, he and three other pilgrims were at that same location, having food in the restaurant when it burned, and this is the only information we have received.”
This citizen attributes the uncertainty to the poor planning of Islamic Republic authorities and believes that the blood of all those killed in this incident is on the hands of those who incite people’s feelings and send them to a war-torn country without having the capability to ensure their security.
Now, according to ISNA reports, the country’s forensic medicine has begun operations to identify the bodies, and bodies are to be identified through DNA sampling and testing. If there is a match with first-degree relatives, the body will be handed over to them. To date, 51 bodies have been handed over to forensic medicine.
This citizen predicts that with the current situation, many families of Arbaeen pilgrims will remain uncertain. He urges people that by witnessing the conditions of bereaved families in coming years, they should not allow authorities to use their religious sentiments as a tool for their political achievements.
In Sudabeh’s view, to the extent that many Iranian families remain preoccupied with mourning ceremonies for several months, from the perspective of Islamic Republic authorities, this means success. Because it occupies people’s minds and they remain oblivious to other news.
The simple and irresponsible handling by Iranian authorities of this incident is, in this citizen’s view, clear evidence of her claim. Particularly since none of them have so far expressed condolences or even sympathized with the families of the victims.
This incident occurred Thursday night last week in the “Al-Shoumali” area of “Al-Hillah” city, located south of Baghdad, and has been reported as the deadliest terrorist operation in the past month.
