56 reportedly killed in stampede at Soleimani funeral procession in Iran
Mourners gather for the burial of Gen. Qasem Soleimani in his hometown Kerman, Iran, on Tuesday. Photo: Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images
At least 56 people were killed and 21 injured in a stampede at a funeral procession for Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in his hometown of Kerman, according to the AP, citing Iranian state television.
The big picture: The hometown burial marks the end of a three-day-long mourning period for Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Iraq last Friday. Funerals in cities across Iran for Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a senior Iraqi militia commander who also died in the Baghdad strike, have drawn huge crowds.
Officials aren't quite sure what sparked the stampede, but it delayed Soleimani's burial, per AP.
In photos:Soleimani's other funeral processions around the country over the last few days...
Qassem Soleimani’s funeral in Tehran is a seminal moment. Possibly millions have shown up. pic.twitter.com/78wdDnPHDK
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani (left 4) and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (left 5) with the coffins of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi-Iranian paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Photo: Iranian Leader Press Office/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
An aerial view of Tehran's funeral procession. Photo: Iranian Leader Press Office/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Iranians carry the coffins during the Tehran funeral ceremony. Photo: Iranian Leader Press Office / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
The coffins of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi-Iranian paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis are transported from Ahvaz International Airport after arriving in Iran from Iraq. Photo: Fatemeh Rahimavian/Fars news/AFP via Getty Images
Ahvaz became on Sunday the first place in Iran to hold a funeral for the commanders. Photo: Hossein Mersadi/Fars News/AFP via Getty Images
Military personnel carry the casket of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani upon arrival at Ahvaz International Airport. Photo: Hossein MersadiI/Fars News/AFP via Getty Images
Iranians mourn over the casket of Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Photo: Hossein Mersadi/Fars News/AFP via Getty Images
Editor's note: This article has been updated as Iranian state television has revised its death (first from 35, then 32) and injury (first from 48, then 190) tolls from the stampede.
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