Thousands injured and 14 dead in celebrations in Iran

In the accidents that occurred during the Chaharshanbe Suri celebrations, held on the last Wednesday night of the year according to the Solar Hijri calendar in Iran, 14 people, including manufacturers of fireworks, handmade explosives, and sparklers, lost their lives, and 2,100 people were injured.

In the capital Tehran, fireworks, sparklers, and occasionally handmade explosives were used during the celebrations that began in the evening hours.

The sky was practically covered in a cloud of smoke due to the fireworks set off in the city. The smell of gunpowder filled the air due to the fireworks and explosive materials used on almost every street and avenue.

Some people gathered in parks to watch the fireworks displays, while some Tehran residents chose to jump over fires they had lit.

The sounds of explosions heard all over the city continued uninterrupted until midnight.

MORE THAN 6 THOUSAND EMERGENCY CALLS

According to the report by the official Iranian news agency IRNA, 14 people lost their lives and a total of 2,100 people were injured from the preparation process that began on February 20 to the nationwide Chaharshanbe Suri celebrations that started on March 12.

Tehran Fire Department Spokesperson Jalal Maleki stated in his announcement that they received a total of 6,416 emergency calls between 07:00 and 22:30 yesterday, noting that fire crews intervened in 230 incidents.

In Iran, during the celebrations held on the last Wednesday night of the year before the new year (Nowruz), children and young people, in particular, jump over lit fires and set off fireworks, handmade explosives, and sparklers. The accidents that occur during these celebrations and the preparations leading up to them cause dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries in the country every year.

In Iran, where the Solar Hijri calendar is used, Nowruz begins on March 21.

News Source: AA