July 24, 2020
Explosions in a hospital in the upscale Tajrish section of Tehran have killed 19 people, including a pair of surgical nurses who had gotten married to each other 17 days before they were killed. The explosions just before 9 p.m. June 30 appeared to have originated with oxygen tanks improperly stowed in the basement of the Sina At’har Medical Center on Shariati Avenue.
A 45-second video showed two massive explosions about a half-minute apart with flames suddenly shooting high into the sky and vast quantities of black smoke pouring from the hospital. The explosions made it far more frightening and damaging, than an ordinary fire. And the explosions caused damage to other buildings in the vicinity. Coming just four days after an explosion at a missile factory east of Tehran, there was much speculation that someone was targeting the country with bombs. But regime opponents have never targeted medical sites before. Tehran Police Chief Hossain Rahimi also denied the explosions were the result of “sabotage.”
Most speculation centered on the common practice of building managers in Tehran to ignore safety codes. Fifteen of the 19 dead were women. Another 14 people were injured. The authorities did not say how many of the casualties were patients and how many were hospital staff. The police said they were questioning the hospital’s director and three members of his staff, but have not yet announced any charges against anyone. Fire Department spokesman Jalal Maleki said three oxygen canisters stored in the basement had blown up.