Metropol Tower Collapse Death Toll Rises to 22 Dead and 48 Injured

The CEO of the Iranian Red Crescent Society in Khuzestan province announced on Friday, May 27th, that the latest death toll from the collapse of the Metropol tower in Abadan had risen to 22 people, with 48 others injured.

Vahid Shabbani further stated that “the unstable condition of the structures has increased the risk coefficient for secondary incidents in the area and has complicated and hindered debris removal operations.”

These remarks came as Ahmad Vahidi, the Interior Minister, announced on Thursday, four days after the Metropol tower collapse, the transfer of “newer excavation equipment and tools” to Abadan.

Mr. Vahidi also called the incident a “crime” at a press gathering and demanded “maximum punishment” for those responsible.

This comes despite the Khuzestan prosecutor’s confirmation of the identity of Hossein Abdolbaghi’s body—the main defendant and owner and contractor of the Abadan Metropol building—with numerous doubts being raised about his death.

The General and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Khuzestan Province said on Thursday, May 26th, that the identity of Hossein Abdolbaghi, the main defendant and owner and contractor of the Abadan Metropol building, had been confirmed through genetic testing (DNA) by the forensic medicine organization.

Sadegh Jafari Chogni added that the body had previously been identified by the deceased’s family, and the police intelligence identification department had confirmed his identity through fingerprinting.

Hossein Abdolbaghi, the developer and owner of the tower, has been accused of constructing the building outside legal regulations with the approval of city officials and through collusion with authorities. Judicial officials in the province stated that the current mayor and two former mayors of Abadan have been arrested.

Over the past three days, contradictory reports have been published about Mr. Abdolbaghi’s fate, with some social media users claiming he is alive.

On Wednesday evening, protesters against the Metropol building collapse in Abadan chanted “Abdolbaghi did not die/It’s a lie, it’s a lie.”

Large sections of the massive Metropol tower collapsed on May 23rd, with reports suggesting that dozens of people may still be trapped under the rubble.

As of Friday, officials have refrained from providing numbers or estimates to domestic news agencies about how many people remain trapped under the debris.

Pirhossein Kolivand, head of the Red Crescent Society, regarding reports of 50 people being trapped under the rubble, said: “No one can confirm or deny these numbers.”

Some users reported smelling bodies from the accident site.

Abadan University of Medical Sciences also warned on Thursday about the dangerous spread of materials used in building materials after demolition to public health, asking Abadan residents to avoid the Metropol accident site.

According to university officials, “the materials used in building materials range from completely harmless to carcinogenic substances, which are rendered safe during construction through safe methods but are dispersed in the air during demolition and can threaten people’s health.”

Also on Thursday, a three-member expert committee consisting of an advisor to the First Vice President, the director of the Housing and Urban Development Research Center, and the Deputy for Civil Affairs of the Interior Ministry visited Abadan and inspected the demolished Metropol building site.

Reports indicate that the atmosphere in Abadan is heavily securitized, with severe disruptions and strict limitations imposed on internet access.

Source: Radio Farda