10 min ago
Pro-Iranian protesters killed in Karachi after storming US consulate compound
By
Sophia Saifi
Six protesters angered by the death of Iran’s supreme leader have been killed and 20 others injured after they stormed the heavily fortified US consulate compound in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi, according to local emergency workers.
“Hundreds of people suddenly appeared near the American consulate” and police arrived quickly, said Karachi Police spokesman Rehan Ali.
Yelling heard on some videos posted to social media suggests the protest was motivated by the US-Israel attacks on neighboring Iran.
Videos geolocated by CNN show dozens of protesters breaking through the security barricades and beating the consulate’s windows with sticks, before flames can be seen in the windows. Shots can be heard in at least one video.
A police officer retrives items in front of a police checkpost burned by protesters near the US Consulate General in Karachi, Pakistan on Sunday.
Akhtar Soomro/REuters
It is unclear how the six protesters died but images emerged of bloodied bodies lying on stretchers. CNN has reached out to the US Embassy in Islamabad for comment.
The movement of US government personnel had already been restricted in Karachi, with the consulate releasing a statement Saturday citing the “current regional tensions.”
Shiite Islam is the dominant branch in Iran while its followers form a large minority in Pakistan.
This post has been updated with additional information.
