Death toll in Iran building collapse rises to 37

Mourning ceremonies were held late into the night on June 2 for the 37 people killed in a building collapse in southwestern Iran, Report informs referring to Reuters.

Officials announced the latest death toll and said another 37 people had been injured in the May 23 collapse of the 10-storey residential and commercial building in Abadan in the oil-producing region of Khuzestan.

Videos posted on social media showed a heavy security force presence in Abadan as the mourning ceremonies took place.

Authorities have blamed the collapse of the Metropol Building on local corruption and lax safety and say 13 people, including mayors and other officials, have so far been arrested for construction violations.