Two explosions caused by ‘terrorist attacks’ killed more than 100 people and wounded scores at a ceremony in Iran to commemorate top commander Qassem Soleimani who was killed by a US drone in 2020, Iranian officials said on Wednesday.

According to the Islamic Republic News Agency of Iran, the first explosion occurred in the underpass area next to the Jebeliya Dome and the second was in Qoli Bey Gate near Sahibul Zaman Mosque.

An unnamed official told the state news agency IRNA that “Two explosive devices planted along the road leading to Kerman’s Martyrs’ Cemetery were detonated remotely by terrorists”.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Videos aired by Iranian media showed dozens of bodies strewn around with some bystanders trying to attend to survivors and others hurrying to leave the blast area.

“A terrible sound was heard there, despite all the security and safety measures. We are still investigating,” Reza Fallah, head of the Kerman Red Crescent Society, told state television.

Pakistan condemned the blasts in Iran that resulted in the killing of more than 100 in Kerman.

“Pakistan strongly condemns the inhuman terrorist attacks in Kerman, that claimed several innocent lives. Sincere condolences to Gov. & people of Iran. Our heart goes out to families of victims. Pakistan stands in solidarity with Iran at this hour of grief,” Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani said in a post on X.

Earlier, Kerman governor’s security deputy confirmed in an interview with the media that two explosions on the paths of Golzar martyrs were terrorist attacks.

“The blasts were caused by terrorist attacks,” state media quoted a local official in the Kerman province as saying. Babak Yektaparast, a spokesperson for Iran’s emergency services, was reported later as saying 73 people had been killed and 170 injured.

The semi-official Nournews had said earlier that “several gas canisters exploded on the road leading to the cemetery”.

State TV showed Red Crescent rescuers attending to wounded people at the ceremony, where hundreds of Iranians had gathered to mark the anniversary of Soleimani’s death. Some Iranian news agencies said the number of wounded people was much higher.

Earlier, Iranian state media reported that two explosions killed at least 20 people and wounded dozens.

A local official was quoted by Iranian state media as saying “it is not yet clear whether the explosions were caused by gas cylinders or a terrorist attack”.

Some Iranian news agencies had said that at least 50 people were wounded.

“Our rapid response teams are evacuating the injured… But there are waves of crowds blocking roads,” Reza Fallah, head of the Kerman province Red Crescent told state TV.