The protests in Iran have turned deadly, with more than 6,000 people killed since they began on 28 December. Parisa, a 29-year-old from Tehran, said, "My friends are all like me. We all know someone who was killed in the protests." She knows at least 13 people who died. The unrest started as protests over worsening economic conditions but soon saw brutal action by security forces. Parisa says protests on 8 and 9 January were peaceful, but security forces fired live bullets into crowds. "The smell of gunpowder and bullets filled the neighbourhoods where clashes were taking place," she said. Mehdi, 24, also from Tehran, described seeing protesters shot at close range. "I saw a young man killed right in front of my eyes with two live rounds," he said. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reports over 6,159 confirmed deaths, including 5,804 protesters, 92 children, and 214 government affiliates. Another group suggests the toll could be over 25,000. Sahar, 27, shared heartbreaking stories of friends killed or injured. One friend was shot in the neck, another wounded by pellets who later bled to death at home, and a third died in detention. "They [officers] told his family to come to the IRGC intelligence office. After a few days they rang and said, 'Come and collect the body,'" she said. Pellet guns caused serious harm. Parham, 27, saw many injured in the face and eyes. His friend Sina was shot in the forehead and eye on 9 January. Hospital staff reported constant arrivals of pellet gun victims. Sina has pellets still inside his eye and forehead. Medical records confirming injuries were verified by the BBC. Families also face intimidation. Mehdi said his friend's family was told to pay over $7,000 to receive the body or claim the deceased was a security force member. Navid, 38, said other families heard the same demand. Human rights groups warn this hides the true death toll and punishes families. Authorities report over 3,100 deaths but say most were security personnel or bystanders harmed by rioters. The BBC has verified videos showing live firing on crowds. The protests have seen a near-total internet shutdown, making it hard for information to flow. Sahar said, "Without internet or phone lines we had no idea what was happening to anyone." This crackdown marks one of the deadliest periods of unrest in Iran's history, with witnesses sharing harrowing accounts of loss, violence, and state repression.