TEHRAN - A massive fire tore through a multi-storey shopping centre in northwest Tehran on Wednesday, killing at least eight people and injuring dozens more, Iranian state media reported .
The blaze broke out around noon local time at the Plaza Shopping Centre in the Sa'adat Abad district, a busy commercial area in the Iranian capital. The fire quickly spread through the building, which housed approximately 350 clothing stores, carpet shops, and a food court .
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Casualties and Rescue Efforts
According to the Tehran Emergency Operations Centre, the death toll has risen to eight, with at least 40 others injured . Among the injured, 12 are reported to be in critical condition with severe burns and smoke inhalation .
Several firefighters were among those injured while attempting to control the flames and rescue trapped civilians .
The head of Tehran's fire department, Mohammad Ali Tehrani, told state TV that the building's structural integrity has been compromised, and sections of the upper floors have partially collapsed. "Our teams are working under extremely dangerous conditions. The building could collapse at any moment," he said .
Rescue operations were temporarily suspended on Wednesday evening due to the risk of a full collapse, resuming early Thursday morning with structural engineers monitoring the site .
Cause of the Blaze
Initial investigations suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit in one of the ground-floor clothing stores, where flammable materials helped the flames spread rapidly .
Tehran's governor, Mohsen Mansouri, has ordered a full investigation and promised that those responsible for any safety violations will be held accountable .
Eyewitness Accounts
Witnesses described scenes of panic as shoppers and store employees rushed to escape the burning building.
"We heard screaming and then saw smoke pouring from the entrance," said Reza Karimi, a 34-year-old shopper who was outside the centre when the fire started. "People were jumping from first-floor windows. It was chaos" .
Another witness, a store owner who identified himself only as Hossein, said: "I lost everything. My shop, my inventory, my livelihood. But I am thankful to be alive. Many of my colleagues are not" .
Hospital Response
The injured have been transferred to several hospitals across Tehran, including Shohada-e Tajrish Hospital and Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex. The Tehran University of Medical Sciences has issued an emergency appeal for blood donations, particularly for burn victims .
The Iranian Red Crescent Society has deployed mental health support teams to assist survivors and families of the victims .
Building Safety Concerns
The Plaza Shopping Centre, built in the early 2000s, has reportedly faced safety violations in the past, including inadequate fire suppression systems and blocked emergency exits. Local media reports suggest that several warnings had been issued to building management, but significant improvements were never made .
The disaster has reignited concerns about building safety standards in Iran, particularly in older commercial structures. Similar tragedies in recent years include:
2017: A fire and collapse at the Plasco Building in central Tehran killed 22 people, including 16 firefighters
2019: A fire at a hospital in downtown Tehran killed 13 patients
Government Response
President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and has ordered the Ministries of Interior and Health to provide "full support" to those affected .
"We mourn the loss of our fellow citizens in this tragic incident. I have instructed all relevant agencies to investigate the cause thoroughly and to ensure that those responsible for any negligence are brought to justice," Pezeshkian said in a statement .
Tehran's mayor, Alireza Zakani, has declared a day of mourning in the capital .
International Condolences
Several countries, including Turkey, Pakistan, Russia, China, and the United Arab Emirates, have expressed condolences to Iran over the deadly incident .
The United States, which remains in a state of conflict with Iran following the February 28 outbreak of hostilities, has not issued an official statement .
