Officials in the oil-rich Khuzestan region, where Abadan is located, said the toll had risen to 29 dead and 37 injured in Monday’s collapse of the 10-storey residential and commercial building. So far, 13 people have been arrested for violating building regulations, they said.
Authorities investigating the disaster have arrested the current and former mayor of Abadan and several other municipal workers, amid accusations that safety warnings were ignored.
The government announced a national day of mourning on Sunday for the victims of the collapse, according to state media.
Fars news agency said an Abadan protest on Friday night turned violent when mobs forced their way into the ruins of the building, where rescue operations were continuing. Police fired tear gas and warning shots, she said.
Images circulating on social media showed people running for cover. You could hear cries of “Don’t shoot, don’t shoot” and the sound of gunfire. Reuters could not independently authenticate these images.
Unverified video from the Khuzestan port city of Mahshahr showed protesters shouting: “They stole the oil and gas, they took our blood.”
Solidarity marches with the Abadan protests were also held in several neighboring regions of Khuzestan as well as in Shahin Shahr in central Iran and the southern city of Shiraz, according to other unverified publications on social media.
First Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber told state television on Friday he believed “widespread corruption” between the builder, contractor and oversight bodies was responsible for the disaster.
As in previous protests against rising food prices, residents reported disrupted internet services, an apparent attempt to prevent the use of social media to hold rallies and broadcast videos. Officials deny blocking internet access.