Story By:  Ana Marjanovic, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency:  Newsflash

The dead bodies of two brothers killed in the Metropol building collapse in Iran have been found embracing each other among the rubble.

The 10-storey commercial and residential building collapsed in the Iranian city of Abadan on 23rd May, so far killing 34 with at least another 37 injured as rescuers continue to scour through the rubble.

According to reports, a search team has found four dead bodies of the same family in the basement of the collapsed Metropol building.

Brothers Erfan and Arian Jalilian were reportedly found embracing each other.

The dead body of their father Fawzi Jalilian was also found among the rubble along with his nephew Hamid Reza Jalilian.

Rescuers at the scene said more victims are likely to be found as the search operation continues.

Meanwhile, protests have taken place in several Iranian cities following the building collapse, with angry demonstrators accusing the government of negligence and endemic corruption over the tragedy.

The authorities have blamed the building collapse on individual negligence and poor safety protocols, arresting at least 13 people so far.

Shouts of “death to Khamenei”, referencing the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei, were heard in several cities, including Tehran and the port city of Bushehr. Anti-Khamenei rhetoric is considered a red line in the country.

The protests have followed a period of unrest in Iran over the cost of living crisis and escalating prices amid economically-crushing sanctions imposed by world powers.