{"id":20527,"date":"2024-01-04T00:03:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-03T22:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=20527"},"modified":"2024-01-03T21:27:46","modified_gmt":"2024-01-03T19:27:46","slug":"more-than-100-people-killed-in-iran-in-explosions-near-qassem-soleimanis-tomb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/more-than-100-people-killed-in-iran-in-explosions-near-qassem-soleimanis-tomb\/","title":{"rendered":"More than 100 people killed in Iran in explosions near Qassem Soleimani\u2019s tomb"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At least 103 people were reported dead in Iran on January 3, 2023, while hundreds sustained severe injuries in two explosions near the tomb of the late Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) General Qassem Soleimani.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The incident occurred during a ceremony commemorating four years since his assassination, attracting hundreds of attendees to the tomb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two separate explosions were heard in Iran\u2019s southeastern city of Kerman on Wednesday afternoon. The explosions occurred near the burial place of General Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike exactly four years ago on the same day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the local official, it was not immediately clear what caused the blasts. Iran\u2019s state-owned media outlet quoted a senior official who called the blasts a terrorist attack, without elaborating on who could be behind them. No one has immediately claimed responsibility for what appeared to be the deadliest attack to target Iran since its 1979 Islamic Revolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both explosions took place in close vicinity to each other in the cemetery that was full of attendees. The blasts occurred on the roads leading to Golzar Shohada, the Garden of Martyrs cemetery in Kerman.  The first explosion occurred some 700 meters away from Suleimani\u2019s burial place and the second one occurred around 1 kilometer away.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Explosion<\/a>
People gather at the scene of explosions during a ceremony held to mark the death of late Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, in Kerman, Iran, on January 3, 2024. (Image Credit: Majid Asgaripour\/WANA)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

A spokesperson for the country\u2019s emergency service initially reported more than 70 deaths while 170 were reported wounded. The death toll soon rose to cross 100. Based on the latest reports from the local news media outlets, the death toll stands at 103 and is expected to rise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tehran has not tossed any accusations to mark the culprit behind the attack, however, a political representative of Kerman province accused agents of Israel of committing the offense. Separately, Kianush Jahanpur, the former spokesperson of Iran\u2019s health ministry, said on social media: \u201cThe answer to this crime should only be in Tel Aviv, Haifa.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Iranian President Raisi called it a heinous crime<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi condemned the \u201cheinous\u201d crime as the Islamic Republic of Iran declared Thursday a National Day of Mourning. \u201cUndoubtedly, the perpetrators, of this cowardly act will soon be identified and punished for their heinous act by the capable security and law enforcement forces,\u201d said Raisi in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raisi, President of #Iran<\/a>:

"Revenge against the perpetrators of the terrorist incident in Kerman is inevitable."

The terrorist incident in Kerman has left more than 100 dead and nearly 200 injured. #ghasem_solimani<\/a> #Terroristattack<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/BJiUbIIMVJ<\/a><\/p>— WANA News Agency (@WANAIran) January 3, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote>