KARACHI: U.S. Marines opened fire during a protest at the U.S. Consulate in Karachi on Sunday, according to U.S. officials.
The protest happened after Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in recent strikes on Iran. Angry demonstrators gathered outside the consulate and later broke through the outer wall of the compound.
Ten people were killed during the unrest. It is still unclear whether any of those deaths were caused by gunfire from the U.S. Marines. Officials said they do not yet know who fired the shots that caused casualties.
A local government spokesperson said “security personnel” opened fire but did not say whether they were U.S. Marines, private guards, or local police.
Witnesses reported hearing gunfire and seeing tear gas used near the consulate. Videos on social media showed protesters running and at least one person firing a weapon toward the compound.
Pakistan has since banned large public gatherings across the country after protests spread to other cities. At least 26 people have reportedly died nationwide in related unrest.
The U.S. State Department has not yet commented on the incident.–Reuters
