At least 100 people have been killed and more than 100 others wounded in explosions near the tomb of former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) General Qassem Soleimani during a ceremony marking four years since his assassination.
Two explosions were heard in the southeastern city of Kerman on Wednesday afternoon near the burial place of Soleimani, who was killed in a US drone strike, according to Iranian media reports.
At least 103 people were killed in the blasts and 141 others wounded, according to Iranian state media and the emergency services.
It was not immediately clear what caused the blasts. Officials have blamed a “terrorist attack”.
Videos showed ambulances arriving at the scene and taking away injured people on stretchers. Kerman is about 820 kilometres (510 miles) southeast of the capital, Tehran.
“The number of people killed rose to 103 following the death of people injured during the terrorist explosions,” said official IRNA news agency.
Another 141 people were wounded in the bombings, IRNA said adding that some were in “critical condition”.
Mohammad Saberi, the head of Kerman’s emergency services, confirmed the toll.
Among those killed were three paramedics who rushed to the scene after the first explosion, said Iran’s Red Crescent.
Authorities told local media that some of the injured were being treated after being trampled in the pandemonium following the explosions.
Kerman security chief Rahman Jalali confirmed to state media that “the blasts were caused by terrorist attacks.”
The news agency Tasnim reported that two briefcases loaded with explosives were placed at the entrance of the cemetery and were then detonated remotely.
President Ebrahim Raisi condemned the “heinous” crime as the Islamic Republic of Iran declared Thursday a national day of mourning.
