Iranian authorities have denied reports claiming 74 bodies were discovered at Karaj Dam following collapsing water levels, Eghtesad Online reported on November 12.

Several media outlets published reports on November 11 claiming 74 bodies had been discovered following the drop in water levels at Karaj Dam following an alleged initial report in the Payam Sepidar newspaper.

According to bne IntelliNews investigations, the digital version of the daily newspaper did not come up with the article, however, no retraction was published. 

A deputy governor of Alborz Province for Security Affairs said the rumour was published with the aim of creating concern in public opinion and is completely fabricated. The claim about water levels and the discovery of bodies is completely false.

Alborz Regional Water Company said publication of material allegedly in Payam Sepidar with the title "74 bodies have been found so far as Karaj Dam dries up" is entirely false, undocumented and lacks any technical and field basis.

No cases of discovering bodies of individuals in the dam area have been observed or reported. Following the initial report, a judicial case has been opened for publishers of the false claim about discovering unidentified bodies at Karaj Dam.

Following publication of the false and fabricated news about the discovery of several unidentified bodies in Karaj Dam bed, Karaj Prosecutor's Office opened a judicial case in this matter.

The Alborz Province Forensic Medicine Organisation also denied the news, stating that in recent weeks there have been no cases of bodies discovered from Amir Kabir Dam delivered to this centre.