The week-long funerals Khamenei's began, Estimates suggest 1,500 to 3,000 people could die during Khamenei's funeral,

Tehran: It is estimated that between 1,500 and 3,000 people may have died during the funeral procession for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the former Iranian Supreme Leader who was killed in a joint US-Israeli strike. 

German newspaper Die Welt reports that Iran estimates that many people may die in stampedes and other accidents during the mourning procession.

The report, citing a confidential letter written by the Iranian Red Crescent and the National Crisis Management Organization to Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Arif, said that the ceremony is expected to draw a larger-than-expected crowd.

The week-long funerals began yesterday. The high temperatures and the crowds are likely to cause accidental deaths.   Following this, around a thousand new graves have been prepared at Beheshte-e-Sahra Qabristani in Tehran, the report said, quoting an employee. "No one can say what will happen with such a large crowd and intense heat. The prepared graves are there. Even if up to 3,000 people die, the burial facilities are ready," the report said, citing a Tehran municipality official. 

Authorities have also formed a special unit to deal with the dead and missing in the event of a major disaster. Khamenei's funeral began on Saturday. The body will be buried in the city of Mashhad on July 9. Khamenei, who had ruled Iran since 1989, was assassinated in a US-Israeli attack on February 28. Thousands of people and dignitaries are arriving in Tehran to pay their last respects to Ali Khamenei. Khamenei's death is an irreparable loss for the Iranian people and they have lost their souls, 

Ayatollah Hakim Elahi, the representative of the Iranian Supreme Leader in India, said in an exclusive interview with 'India Today'. The funeral of the Supreme Leader is taking place at a time when Iran is moving towards direct confrontation with the US and Israel. However, Elahi said in New Delhi that despite such crises, the country has become stronger than before and is ready to face any challenge. The world is watching Iran's moves closely as geopolitical conditions in the Middle East continue to become more complex following the death of Ali Khamenei.