This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-61548490

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
Iran building collapse death toll jumps to 26 Iran building collapse death toll jumps to 26
(about 1 hour later)
This video can not be playedThis video can not be played
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Watch: The aftermath of a deadly building collapse in IranWatch: 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 streetsThe 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.