Protestors in Iran shout 'shameless' at Supreme Leader's emissary amid demonstrations over building collapse that killed 32 people

Protestors angry over a building collapse in Iran that killed at least 32 people shouted down an emissary sent by the country's Supreme Leader, sparking a violent crackdown that saw riot police club demonstrators and fire tear gas.

Ayatollah Mohsen Heidari AleKasir tried to address mourners near the rubble of the 10-storey Metropol Building on Sunday but was met by shouts of "Shameless!" from the crowd, analysis of online videos suggests.

The demonstration directly challenged the Iranian government's response to the disaster a week ago and comes amid rising pressure in the Islamic Republic over rising food prices and other economic woes.

The deadly collapse in the city of Abadan in southwestern Iran on May 23 has raised questions about the safety of similar buildings in the country.

Surrounded by bodyguards, the ayatollah, in his 60s, attempted to address the crowd but was met by boos and shouts from the hundreds of people gathered on Sunday.

Shouts of 'Shameless!' from the crowd

"What's happening?" the cleric stage said to a bodyguard.

The cleric then tried to address the crowd again: "My dears, please keep calm, as a sign of respect to Abadan, its martyrs and the dear (victims) the whole Iranian nation is mourning tonight."

Those gathered responded by shouting: "Shameless!"

A live broadcast on state television of the event then cut out. Demonstrators later chanted: "I will kill; I will kill the one who killed my brother!"

The Tehran-based daily newspaper Hamshahri and the semi-official Fars news agency said the protesters attacked the platform where state TV had set up its camera, cutting off its broadcast.

Protestors clubbed by riot police

Police ordered the crowd not to chant slogans against the Islamic Republic and then ordered them to leave, calling their rally illegal.

Video later showed officers confronting and clubbing demonstrators as clouds of tear gas rose amid dramatic scenes.

Following the tower collapse in Abadan last Monday, authorities have acknowledged the building's owner and corrupt government officials had allowed construction to continue at the Metropol Building despite concerns over its shoddy workmanship.

Authorities have arrested 13 people as part of a broad investigation into the disaster, including the city's mayor.