Fireworks blasts kill 21 in Iran over 4 weeks ahead of Fire Festival

20/3/2025 6:12

At least 21 individuals were killed and 6,419 others injured in fireworks-related incidents across Iran over the past 28 days leading up to the Fire Festival, which was celebrated on Tuesday, state-run IRIB TV reported Wednesday.

The fatalities resulted from incidents related to the making, storing, and use of fireworks between Feb. 19 and March 18, IRIB TV quoted Jafar Miadfar, head of Iran's Medical Emergency Organization, as saying.

He put the total number of injured during the 28 days at 6,419, of whom 258 have undergone amputations, 1,823 sustained eye injuries, and 1,705 suffered burns.

The official said the highest number of injuries was reported in the capital Tehran, followed by East Azarbaijan and West Azarbaijan provinces.

The traditional Fire Festival, also known as Chaharshanbe Suri, is celebrated by Iranians on the eve of the last Wednesday before Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, which falls on March 21 this year.

The festival is celebrated with bonfires and firecrackers in public places as part of the rituals to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one.