Tragic Footage from Tehran Morgue Highlights Iran's Protest Violence

Wed Feb 18 2026 15:14:27 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Recent videos from a Tehran morgue depict a horrifying scene of casualties from the government's crackdown on protests, revealing the brutal reality faced by demonstrators.

Graphic videos from Tehran's Kahrizak Forensic Medical Centre present disturbing images of casualties from anti-government protests, highlighting the government's violent response since unrest began on December 28. Analysts estimate over 2,500 deaths, with families desperate to identify lost loved ones amidst a government-imposed internet blackout. The footage suggests a significant loss of life among protesters, including younger victims.

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Distressing new videos have emerged from a mortuary in Tehran showing rows of bodies, blood-soaked floors, and crowds of people searching for loved ones following a deadly government crackdown on protesters in Iran.

The videos analyzed by BBC Verify and BBC Persian, which are too graphic to show, contain some of the most shocking examples of how brutal the government's retaliation has been since the unrest began on 28 December. Forensic examination of the footage reveals nearly 200 bodies laid throughout the mortuary complex, many with visible wounds, and one victim identified as young as 16.

Anti-government demonstrations have spread to more than 68 towns and cities, with the true figure likely much higher due to the near-total internet blackout imposed by the government. Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) estimates over 2,500 deaths, while Iranian officials claim "terrorists" are to blame for the violence.

Footage posted by a US-based Iranian activist documented the dire situation inside the Kahrizak Forensic Medical Centre, revealing harrowing scenes of body bags and grieving relatives. The sheer number of deceased suggests hospitals are overwhelmed by casualties from the protests.

As desperate family members searched for their loved ones, heartbreak echoed through the morgue's corridors. The reports indicate a massive toll taken on protesters, including a significant number of minors, amid claims from state media that many victims were security forces or civilians uninvolved in protests.

With most international news organizations restricted within Iran, independent verification of the rising casualties continues to rely heavily on social media and other unofficial sources.