Mourners killed in stampede at funeral of Iranian general executed by US

Mourners gathered to pay their last respect to the slain general Qasem Soleimani. [Courtesy]

Mourners have died as a result of a stampede at the funeral procession of assassinated general Qassem Soleimani, Iran state TV said.

Iranian State TV reported that thirty-five people died and 48 others were injured in the incident. The body of general Soleimani reached his hometown on Tuesday ahead of burial amidst tensions between the US and Iran.

Thousands had joined the procession at Soleimani's hometown of Kernan when the tragedy unfolded.

News service ISNA posted on Twitter: “Unfortunately, overcrowding and crowding in Kerman have left a number of compatriots dead and some injured have been transferred to health centers.”

Soleimani - widely considered to be the second most powerful man in Iran - was killed by a US drone in an attack in Baghdad on Friday.

Millions lined the streets of capital Tehran for his funeral yesterday.