Arab tribes join Abadan protests and officers shoot

Images posted on social media show continued protests by the people of Abadan regarding the collapse of the Metropol building and the Arab tribes' declaration of solidarity with the protesters. Meanwhile, the IRNA news agency has reported that the death toll has increased to 31.

Protests related to the collapse of the Abadan Metropole building continued for another night.

According to videos posted on social media, on Sunday evening, May 29, a group of Arab tribes entered Abadan, holding their tribal flags, and expressed their sympathy for the families of the victims with a Yazleh ceremony.

They chanted slogans and warned security officers that they would confront them if they opened fire on people or resorted to violence.

Video footage shows officers firing live ammunition at demonstrators, throwing tear gas, and violently confronting them.

Slogans that have been heard include "Basij, go away," "We are all fighters, fight until we fight," and "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, we are all together."

Other images show protest gatherings in Masjed Soleyman, another city in Khuzestan province.

Death toll rises to 31

On Monday, June 29, IRNA reported that rescue workers had found two more bodies under the rubble of the Metropol building in the early hours of the morning. Including these two people, the death toll from the disaster has reached 31.

The governor of Khuzestan had previously announced the number of missing people at 38.

IRNA also wrote that another person has been identified by rescuers, but has not yet been pulled out of the rubble because he was buried under concrete.

Parts of the 10-story Metropole building, which was allegedly built in disregard of legal regulations due to corruption and collusion with officials, collapsed on June 2nd.

Since then, rescue workers have been searching and clearing debris.

Source: DW