Coronavirus cover-up: satellite images reveal mass graves in Iran
Newly released aerial photos fuel fears that Tehran is covering up extent of outbreak
Mass graves large enough to be seen have space have been dug near the epicentre of Iran’s coronavirus epidemic - fuelling fears that the authorities are covering up the true extent of the outbreak in the Islamic Republic.
Satellite images first published in the The New York Times show two trenches with a total length of about 100 metres that have been excavated in the past three weeks in a cemetery in the city of Qom, about 80 miles south of Tehran.
“According to expert analysis, video testimony and official statements, the graves were dug to accommodate the rising number of virus victims in Qom,” reports The Washington Post.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The images “confirm the worst fears about the extent of the epidemic and the government’s subsequent cover-up” , adds The Guardian. Iran has suffered one of the world’s worst outbreaks of the virus, which causes Covid-19 disease, with a total of 10,075 cases and 429 deaths confirmed by the authorities as of Friday morning.
But many believe the true numbers may be far higher.
Opposition politicians claim that as many as 3,300 Iranians have died after becoming infected, with many “collapsing in the streets”, The Times reports.
Last month, at the time the trenches were being dug, a legislator from Qom said there had been 50 coronavirus deaths in the city, while the government was claiming that only 12 people had died nationwide.
The nation’s deputy health minister, Iraj Harirchi, held a press conference to “categorically deny” allegations that the regime was lying about the extent of the outbreak.
However, he was “clearly sweating and coughing”, and confirmed the following day that he had tested positive, says The Guardian.
Amir Afkhami, author of A Modern Contagion, a history of Iran’s experience of cholera epidemics, said: “It doesn’t surprise me that they are now trying to create mass graves and trying to hide the actual extent of the impact of the disease.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Get your first six issues for £6–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - April 19, 2024
Cartoons Friday's cartoons - priority delivery, USPS on fire, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How (and why) to have the inheritance talk with family sooner than later
The Explainer The hard conversations aren't going to get any easier if you wait
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Covid four years on: have we got over the pandemic?
Today's Big Question Brits suffering from both lockdown nostalgia and collective trauma that refuses to go away
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The hollow classroom
Opinion Remote school let kids down. It will take much more than extra tutoring for kids to recover.
By Mark Gimein Published
-
How Tehran became the world's nose job capital
Under the radar Iranian doctors raise alarm over low costs, weak regulation and online influence of 'Western beauty standards'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Excess screen time is making children only see what is in front of them
Under the radar The future is looking blurry. And very nearsighted.
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Covid-19: what to know about UK's new Juno and Pirola variants
in depth Rapidly spreading new JN.1 strain is 'yet another reminder that the pandemic is far from over'
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Long-term respiratory illness is here to stay
The Explainer Covid is not the only disease with a long version
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Covid inquiry: the most important questions for Boris Johnson
Talking Point Former PM has faced weeks of heavy criticism from former colleagues at the public hearing
By The Week Staff Published
-
China's pneumonia cases: should we be worried?
The Explainer Experts warn against pushing 'pandemic panic button' following outbreak of respiratory illness
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published