IFP Exclusive

15 killed, over 4,700 injured in Iran’s year-end fire festival incidents

The traditional festival of fire, or Chaharshanbe Suri, which is a prelude to the Persian New Year has so far claimed 15 lives and left 4,720 people injured, according to the head of Iran's National Medical Emergency Organization.

Jafar Miadfar said there were 189 cases of amputation of body parts and 1070 cases were related to eye injuries, adding the figures will be updated.

The capital Tehran, Eastern and Western Azarbaijan provinces topped the list of casualties.

The gloomy figures, however, showed a decline compared to the deaths and injuries in previous years, added the official.

The Iranian festival of fire is an ancient tradition celebrated ahead of the New Year but in recent years strong explosives and fireworks have replaced the traditional small bonfires, making the event more boisterous and dangerous.

The celebration falls on the eve of the last Wednesday before Nowruz, the Iranian New Year that starts on March 21.

IFP Editorial Staff

The IFP Editorial Staff is composed of dozens of skilled journalists, news-writers, and analysts whose works are edited and published by experienced editors specialized in Iran News. The editor of each IFP Service is responsible for the report published by the Iran Front Page (IFP) news website, and can be contacted through the ways mentioned in the "IFP Editorial Staff" section.

Recent Posts

Syria’s new rulers say 14 policemen killed in ambush by forces loyal to ex-gov’t

Members of the Syrian police have been killed in an “ambush” by forces loyal to…

10 minutes ago

IRGC says Yemeni strikes changed Israel’s calculations

A spokesman for the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) has stated that the aerial attacks…

20 minutes ago

EU members skeptical about sending peacekeepers to Ukraine: RFE/RL

It is not likely that EU member states will send peacekeepers to Ukraine, especially without…

26 minutes ago

Form president Khatami: Iran in critical situation; some trying to worsen problems

Iran’s former president Seyyed Mohammad Khatami has warned that the country is in a dire…

2 hours ago

VPN sellers still thriving in Iran amid partial lifting of internet restrictions, daily regrets

After months of anticipation for the lifting of internet restrictions, people in Iran were met…

2 hours ago

Turkey threatens to ‘bury’ Kurds in Syria

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to “bury” Kurdish rebels in Syria if they…

2 hours ago