The coronavirus epidemic is spreading impressively around the world. In Iran, 54 people died according to official sources. They are even more than 200, according to unofficial sources in the Persian service of the BBC. In any case, it is the heaviest record after China.
Even if the figure raised by the BBC was denied Saturday by the Iranian ministry of Health, international experts accuse Tehran of a lack of transparency vis-à-vis the real figures linked to the epidemic of coronavirus. The real extent of the epidemic poses questions in this country. According to Bloomberg, Iran is preparing to test “tens of thousands of people“because of the new coronavirus.
This week, the NGO Reporters Without Borders joined the concert of critics against Tehran on this crisis, accusing the regime of hiding information about the spread of the new coronavirus. ” Authorities say they control the situation, but refuse to publish the exact number of those infected and dead “, estimates the organization.
“Don’t come near I’m sick”
On the social network Twitter, videos showing Iranians collapsing in the street circulate. Some fall to the ground under the weight of their weary bodies or following a fit of cough. One of them shows a sick child, at the end of his strength, who is struggling to breathe and then collapses on a parked vehicle, on a street in Tehran. Another shows a kneeling man, clearly infected with the coronavirus, who addresses passersby by shouting: “Don’t come near, I’m sick“. Then two men in medical suits prevail on a stretcher.
“Do not appear in a weak position”
” Authorities say they control the situation, but refuse to publish the exact number of those infected and dead “The organization said. Health ministry spokesman Kianouche Jahanpour reacted to the criticism on Saturday by accusing foreign media of disseminating false information.” Among the radicals in Iran, there is an obsession not to give weapons to the enemy and not to appear in a weak position “, analysis for AFP, Thierry Coville, Iran specialist at the Institute of International and Strategic Relations (Iris).
” Talking about the coronavirus will soon be seen as disturbing public opinion, acting against national security and insulting the president! “Assieh Bakeri, an Iranian woman, worries on Twitter.
As a reminder, several Iranian politicians have tested positive for coronavirus. Among them, the vice-minister of health, Iraj Hararchi, two deputies and the vice-president in charge of women and family affairs, Masoumeh Ebtekar.
In an interview with La Libre Belgique, Ryanair hostess stuck in Tehran talks about mask shortage, antiseptic and disinfectant products. However, the north of the Iranian capital is one of the most contaminated territories in Iran.
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