DUBAI (United Arab Emirates) — Monday’s death toll from the collapse of a building located in southwest Iran was at least 41. This is two weeks after the tragedy.
Ehsun Abbaspour (the governor of Abadan) gave the figure based upon an official report, state TV said.
The Metropol Building collapse, which occurred May 23, some 660 km (410 miles) south of Tehran, brought back painful memories of past disasters. It also shined a light on government corruption, negligence, and poor construction practices in Iran.
This follows weeks of protests that raged in the oil-rich, but poor Khuzestan province about skyrocketing food prices and sporadic demonstrations. Protests have been held in Abadan against the collapse. Police have used tear gas and clubbed protestors.
