Building Collapse in Iran Leaves 24 Dead

The number of casualties from the collapse of a building in the city of Abadan, located in Iran's Khuzestan province, has reached 24. Dozens more have sustained injuries, according to the IRNA news agency.

Authorities do not rule out the possibility of the death toll rising, as hopes of finding any survivors among the rubble are nearly non-existent. Search and rescue operations are ongoing.

Ten individuals have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the incident.

The ten-story building under construction collapsed on Monday, May 23. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has ordered an immediate investigation into the circumstances of the disaster and mandated severe punishment for those responsible.

The cause of the collapse is still unknown; preliminary theories suggest that the disaster may have occurred due to violations of construction regulations by the builders.