Stampede reported at funeral of Iranian religious authority Khamenei in Najaf

NAJAF, Iraq — A funeral held in Najaf for Iranian religious authority Ali Khamenei drew a crowd estimated in the millions, overwhelming arrangements prepared in advance by an organizing committee, according to a Shafaq News correspondent at the scene. The turnout exceeded the capacity planned for the ceremony, and mourners insisting on carrying or walking alongside the coffin repeatedly pushed the procession outside its intended schedule. Staff at the Shrine of Imam Ali struggled to keep the coffin balanced as it was moved toward the mausoleum, and the doors of the shrine were closed immediately after the coffin entered to restore order. Inside, only clerics, seminary students and shrine employees were present during the circling of the tomb, while those carrying the coffin were jolted by the crush of mourners as the coffin was brought out to the courtyard for the farewell prayer. No casualty figures were immediately available from the organizers or shrine officials. Authorities had not released an official statement on the incident by the time of reporting.