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Iran building collapse death toll jumps to 26 | Iran building collapse death toll jumps to 26 |
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Watch: The aftermath of a deadly building collapse in Iran | Watch: The aftermath of a deadly building collapse in Iran |
The number of people killed when an unfinished building collapsed in south-west Iran has risen to 26, state media say. | The number of people killed when an unfinished building collapsed in south-west Iran has risen to 26, state media say. |
Dozens more were injured when the 10-storey Metropol office block in Abadan crashed to the ground on Monday. | Dozens more were injured when the 10-storey Metropol office block in Abadan crashed to the ground on Monday. |
Pictures showed that concrete floors and steel beams had fallen on to the street below, crushing several cars. | Pictures showed that concrete floors and steel beams had fallen on to the street below, crushing several cars. |
A search and rescue operation is continuing, and the cause of the collapse is being investigated. | A search and rescue operation is continuing, and the cause of the collapse is being investigated. |
At least 10 people are reported to have been arrested, including the building contractor, the mayor and two former mayors. | At least 10 people are reported to have been arrested, including the building contractor, the mayor and two former mayors. |
Hundreds of angry people, many banging drums and hitting cymbals, took to the streets in Abadan on Thursday night and Friday morning, in protest. | Hundreds of angry people, many banging drums and hitting cymbals, took to the streets in Abadan on Thursday night and Friday morning, in protest. |
Some shouted "death to incompetent officials" and hailed the "martyrs of Metropol", Iran's Fars news agency said. | Some shouted "death to incompetent officials" and hailed the "martyrs of Metropol", Iran's Fars news agency said. |
شعار مردم #آبادان به مراسم #ورزشگاه_آزادی برای اجرای سرود #سلام_فرمانده :«تهران عروسیه - آبادان خون ریزیه» pic.twitter.com/LB7Jj0NVWG | |
State news agency Irna reported that the building was located on Abadan's busiest commercial street, and that its lower floors had been open for a few days while construction work continued above. | State news agency Irna reported that the building was located on Abadan's busiest commercial street, and that its lower floors had been open for a few days while construction work continued above. |
Witnesses said the collapse, which happened at around 12:40 local time (08:10 GMT), was sudden. | Witnesses said the collapse, which happened at around 12:40 local time (08:10 GMT), was sudden. |
"I thought it was an earthquake at first," Ahmad, a shop owner, told the Associated Press. | "I thought it was an earthquake at first," Ahmad, a shop owner, told the Associated Press. |
The Iranian Red Crescent said 23 rescue teams from Abadan and neighbouring cities rushed to the scene along with more than a dozen ambulances. | The Iranian Red Crescent said 23 rescue teams from Abadan and neighbouring cities rushed to the scene along with more than a dozen ambulances. |
Iran's Mehr news agency said most of those who were trapped had been shopping on the ground floor of one of the finished parts of the building. | |
The Metropol building was located on one of Abadan's busiest commercial streets | The Metropol building was located on one of Abadan's busiest commercial streets |
The incident has raised questions about building safety standards in the country. | The incident has raised questions about building safety standards in the country. |
Top official Mohammad Mokhber told state TV he believed there had been "widespread corruption" during the construction of the tower. | Top official Mohammad Mokhber told state TV he believed there had been "widespread corruption" during the construction of the tower. |
According to local authorities, the building was only legally allowed to contain six floors, but four more were added when it was built, the Associated Press reported. | According to local authorities, the building was only legally allowed to contain six floors, but four more were added when it was built, the Associated Press reported. |
During the 1980s Iraq-Iran war, the region faced huge destruction - and many of the projects to rebuild the area were criticised for poor construction practices. | During the 1980s Iraq-Iran war, the region faced huge destruction - and many of the projects to rebuild the area were criticised for poor construction practices. |
But still, the collapse in Abadan is the deadliest incident of its kind in Iran for years. | But still, the collapse in Abadan is the deadliest incident of its kind in Iran for years. |
In 2017, at least 20 people were killed, including 16 firefighters, when the 17-storey Plasco building in Tehran caught fire and then collapsed. | In 2017, at least 20 people were killed, including 16 firefighters, when the 17-storey Plasco building in Tehran caught fire and then collapsed. |