73 Killed, 170 Injured In Explosions On Qasem Soleimani's Death Anniversary In Iran
Two explosions in Kerman, Iran, on the fourth anniversary of Qasem Soleimani's death, resulted in at least 73 fatalities and 170 injuries.
Soleimani, the former commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed on 3 January 2020, near Baghdad International Airport in an American airstrike.
The blasts occurred on the route to the 'Kerman Martyrs' Cemetery,' where Soleimani is buried. Tasnim News Agency described the explosions as 'massive' and reported the immediate response of security forces. It was noted that two bomb-laden bags were found at the cemetery's entrance and were likely detonated remotely.
Babak Yektafar, the spokesperson for Iran's National Medical Emergency Organisation, noted that some of the injured are in critical condition, raising concerns about an increase in the death toll.
The Deputy for Political and Security Affairs of Kerman Governorate labelled the explosions as 'terrorist' acts. No group has yet claimed responsibility for these incidents, which took place during the anniversary ceremony of Soleimani's killing.
