HighLights
  1. Iran plans for mass casualties at Khamenei funeral amid heat.
  2. Officials estimate 1,500-3,000 potential deaths from crowd incidents.
  3. Thousands of graves prepared, special unit for bodies and missing.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Funeral: A week-long funeral ceremony is underway in Tehran for Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Amid the events, Iranian authorities are reportedly preparing emergency plans for a possible mass-casualty situation as large-scale gatherings are expected during the processions.

Iran Makes Emergency Plans

According to reports, authorities have estimated that between 1,500 and 3,000 people could die in crowd-related incidents due to the massive turnout and extreme weather conditions. A classified letter from the Iranian Red Crescent and the National Crisis Management Organisation reportedly warned about the risks. An employee of the Tehran municipality told German newspaper WELT about the preparation.

“The prepared graves really exist. Those responsible were told that up to 3,000 dead would be okay. With such a large crowd and this extreme heat, no one knows what will happen," the employee was quoted as saying.

ALSO READ: 'Death To America, Israel': Iranians Raise Revenge Chants As Thousands Bid Farewell To Khamenei In Tehran | Watch

What All Arrangements Have Been Made?

Reports suggest that thousands of graves have already been prepared at Tehran’s Behesht-e Zahra cemetery. A special unit has also been set up to manage bodies and missing persons in case of a major disaster during the ceremonies. Reports claim that officials are cautious due to past incidents of crowd disasters in Iran.

2020 Tragedy

The preparations have also been influenced by the 2020 funeral of IRGC Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani. At that time, a massive crowd crush in Kerman killed at least 56 people and injured more than 200. The sudden incident had forced authorities to temporarily suspend parts of the funeral process to control the crowd.

ALSO READ: Ayatollah Khamenei Funeral: Iranian Speaker, Foreign Minister Break Down In Tears During Farewell Ceremony | Watch

Funeral Procession Plan

Khamenei’s funeral ceremonies began on Friday and are scheduled to last a week. His coffin will be displayed in Tehran for three days before being taken to Qom, then moved to Iraq for a procession, and finally laid to rest in Mashhad on July 9.

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