Death toll in funeral procession crush rises to 50

A stampede at the funeral procession of Qassem Soleimani in his hometown of Kerman on Tuesday has killed at least 50 people, the semi-official ISNA news agency said, quoting a local official.

Earlier, Iran's Fars news said at least 40 people had died and around 213 others had been injured, citing an emergency services official.

Explaining how the sheer size of the crowd coalesced into a deadly scene, Arash Rezai, a witness in Kerman, told Middle East Eye: "The population of Kerman is one million and you can't find anyone today staying at home."

Mourners gather around a vehicle carrying the coffin of slain top general Qasem Soleimani during the final stage of funeral processions in his hometown Kerman on 7 January (AFP) — Mourners gather around a vehicle carrying the coffin of slain top general Qassem Soleimani during the final stage of funeral processions in his hometown of Kerman on 7 January (AFP)