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Reyhaneh Soltan-Nejad, nicknamed The girl in pink jacket, was a two-year-old girl who became a poignant symbol of the 2024 terrorist attacks in Kerman, Iran, which occurred on January 3, 2024, during a memorial event for Qasem Soleimani, leaving more than 103 dead and 284 others injured. Reyhaneh was identified by her distinctive pink jacket and heart-shaped earrings. She was killed along with her mother, Fatemeh Soltan-Nejad, her brother, Mohammad Amin, and five other family members. Following the incident, a picture circulated on the internet showing a short text inscribed on a small body bag: “Body parts, girl in pink jacket, heart-shaped earrings, probably 2 years old.” An emergency worker had hastily written these words to help identify the victim amid the incident.
Reyhaneh's father, Peyman Soltan-Nejad, a retired police officer and war veteran stated in an interview that his hair turned white due to the tragic incident of losing his wife and children.
Background
On January 3, 2024, a terrorist attack occurred on the route to the Martyrs' Cemetery in Kerman, resulting in the death of at least 103 people and injuring around 284 others. This attack took place during the memorial event for Qasem Soleimani, and ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack. The incident caused immense grief and sorrow in Iran with reactions from around the world.
Reyhaneh's death
According to one of Reyhaneh's acquaintances, Reyhaneh and several other children were meant to stay at a pavilion while their mothers visited the Martyrs' Cemetery. In the afternoon, after returning, the first explosion occurred some distance away from the pavilion. The children's uncle quickly gathered his wife, his children, his sisters, and their children into a car to drive them home. They went to the parking area where the second explosion happened. Believing it was safe, he left them in the car and returned to help at the first explosion site. As his wife, sisters, and children headed towards their car to leave, the second explosion occurred.
In arts
In January 2025, a painting by Iranian artist Hassan Ruholamin was unveiled at a ceremony attended by Ayatollah Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Revolution. The artwork, entitled "The Two-Year-Old Girl with a Pink Jacket and Heart-Shaped Earrings," depicts the death of Reyhaneh Soltan-Nejad. The unveiling occurred during a meeting between the residents of Qom and the Tehran leader. The painting serves as a portrayal of the toddler's tragic fate and the associated loss experienced by her family.
References
- Dagres, Holly (2024-01-16). "Experts react: What to expect after Iranian attacks on Erbil". Atlantic Council. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
- "'Girl in pink jacket' comes back to hunt terrorists". Tehran Times. 2024-01-16. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
- "دختر کاپشن صورتی با گوشواره قلبی که بود؟+ عکس". ISNA (in Persian). 2024-01-06. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
- "Iran identifies alleged bomb-maker behind last week's IS twin suicide attack that killed dozens". AP News. 2024-01-11. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
- "دختر کاپشن صورتی با گوشواره قلبی که بود؟+ عکس". ISNA (in Persian). Hamshahri. 2024-01-06. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
- ^ "Ruholamin unveils new painting on Kerman terrorist attack". Tehran Times. 2024-01-10. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
- "Mädchen in rosa Jacke mit Herzohrring". www.eslam.de. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
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