{"id":1367,"date":"2026-07-02T05:10:25","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T05:10:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=1367"},"modified":"2026-07-02T05:10:25","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T05:10:25","slug":"ap-was-there-millions-of-mourners-attended-funeral-of-irans-ayatollah-ruhollah-khomeini","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=1367","title":{"rendered":"AP Was There: Millions of mourners attended funeral of Iran\u2019s Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini"},"content":{"rendered":"
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EDITOR\u2019S NOTE: On June 6, 1989, millions of Iranians turned out in the streets to bury Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who led the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The situation quickly got out of control. <\/p>\n

Read more Facing barbs and pressure from Trump, Europe\u2019s leaders close ranks<\/a><\/p>\n

Those in the crowd beat their chests rhythmically in the intense summer heat, the wails of women cutting through the noise. Mourners rushed the casket, causing the 86-year-old religious leader\u2019s white-wrapped body to tumble out into the crowd. <\/p>\n

Initial reports said the chaos killed at least eight people and injured some 11,000 others. It was recognized by Guinness World Records<\/span> as the largest percentage of a population to attend a funeral, drawing an estimated 10.2 million people \u2014 about one-sixth of Iran\u2019s population at the time<\/p>\n

Now, as Iran prepares to bury the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, The Associated Press is making its story and historic photographs of Khomeini\u2019s funeral available. The story has been edited for typographical errors, but maintains the AP style of the day. <\/p>\n

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Mourners Block Funeral, Postpone Burial; Scores Crushed in the Chaos<\/p>\n

By ALEX EFTY<\/p>\n

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) \u2014 Millions of mourners beating on their heads and chests today blocked the funeral procession of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, and scores of people, including Khomeini\u2019s son, were crushed in the chaos.<\/p>\n

The unyielding crowds forced authorities to postpone the burial.<\/p>\n

There was no immediate word on if or how many people were killed, injured or simply fainted because of the 91-degree heat. At least eight people were killed and hundreds hurt Monday during a similar huge show of mass grief.<\/p>\n

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Security forces fired in the air to disperse the crowds, but the grieving multitudes remained, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported.<\/p>\n

The Revolutionary Guards beat mourners on their hands to let go of Khomeini\u2019s coffin.<\/p>\n

Khomeini\u2019s only son, Ahmad, 43, was knocked down in the dusty north Tehran square outside the Mosalla Mosque where Khomeini\u2019s body had lay in state since Monday in an air-conditioned glass-encased bier.<\/p>\n

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Ahmad Khomeini\u2019s white turban fell off as he was being hoisted above the crowds and passed from hand to hand to an ambulance at the edge of the square. He appeared pale and drowsy, but conscious.<\/p>\n

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