The regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran is responding with massive violence to the mass demonstrations in the country. According to the exile portal “Iran International,” at least 2,000 people are said to have been killed within just 48 hours. The figure is based on “conservative estimates.”
Footage sent to Iran International from Kahrizak, south of Tehran, shows several dead bodies in body bags. According to eyewitness accounts accompanying the videos, dozens of bodies are visible at the site, with additional bodies reportedly located in another nearby industrial shed. Two eyewitnesses who visited Kahrizak in search of their loved ones told Iran International that they saw more than 400 bodies there.
On Friday alone, 44 bodies were transferred to Madani Hospital in Karaj and 36 to Ghaem Hospital in Karaj. Medical sources in other cities also reported a high number of fatalities to Iran International.
A doctor in the northern city of Rasht told Iran International that one hospital alone received at least 70 bodies.
The internet shutdown that started on January 8 has made it impossible to obtain a full picture of events on the ground. However, the volume and consistency of incoming accounts suggest that lethal force is being widely used to disperse protesters.
Sources describe particularly intense violence in areas including Fardis in Karaj, and parts of Tehran, while stressing that similar reports are emerging from many other locations across the country including the western provinces of Ilam and Kermanshah.
The BBC also reported more deaths than previously assumed. Employees at several hospitals in different cities spoke of hundreds of victims, especially young people, and reported that they were overwhelmed with the number of injured and dead. Many were between 20 and 25 years old and had gunshot wounds from both live ammunition and buckshot.
According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), demonstrations took place in 184 other cities in Iran and East Kurdistan on Saturday evening – despite an almost complete internet blackout that has been in place for days. The organization documented more than 2,400 arrests since the protests began last Sunday. However, the actual number is likely to be significantly higher.