As Many As 17 Floors Of Tehrans Gandhi Hospital Were Engulfed In

Huge fire at hospital in Iran capital

As many as 17 floors of Tehrans Gandhi hospital were engulfed in

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — A massive fire broke out early Saturday in a 17-story hospital in the Iranian capital of Tehran, killing at least 19 people and injuring dozens more, officials said.

The blaze engulfed the upper floors of the Sina-Atari Hospital, a private medical center in the western part of the city, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. Firefighters battled the flames for several hours before bringing them under control, but the hospital was heavily damaged.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but officials said it may have started in the hospital's electrical system. The fire quickly spread through the building, trapping patients and staff on the upper floors.

Rescue workers used ladders and cranes to evacuate people from the burning building. Many of the victims were elderly patients who were unable to escape on their own.

The fire is the deadliest in Iran in recent years. It comes at a time of heightened political tensions in the country, as the government cracks down on dissent following months of anti-government protests.

Regime critic warns of escalating conflict

Fatemeh Karimkhan, a prominent Iranian human rights activist, said the fire is a sign of the government's "incompetence and brutality." She warned that the regime's crackdown on dissent is only likely to lead to further bloodshed.

"This fire is a tragedy, but it is also a warning," Karimkhan said. "The regime is out of control, and it is willing to use any means necessary to suppress its opponents.

"If the international community does not act to stop the regime, there will be more violence and more bloodshed," she added.

Conclusion

The fire at the Sina-Atari Hospital is a stark reminder of the human cost of political repression in Iran. The regime's crackdown on dissent is not only a violation of human rights, but it is also a threat to the stability of the country.

The international community must not turn a blind eye to the suffering of the Iranian people. We must stand up for their rights and demand an end to the regime's violence.

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