{"id":320610,"date":"2024-06-18T19:45:14","date_gmt":"2024-06-18T18:45:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=320610"},"modified":"2024-06-18T19:45:14","modified_gmt":"2024-06-18T18:45:14","slug":"iran-news-fire-at-rashts-qaem-hospital-results-in-tragic-loss-of-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/anews\/iran-news-fire-at-rashts-qaem-hospital-results-in-tragic-loss-of-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran News: Fire at Rasht\u2019s Qaem Hospital Results in Tragic Loss of Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Early Tuesday morning, June 17, a devastating fire broke out at Qaem Hospital in Rasht, Iran, resulting in the deaths of nine patients and injuries to over 120 individuals. The blaze, which started in the hospital’s basement around 1:30 a.m., took three hours to control, during which time chaos and confusion reigned.<\/p>\n

Rasht’s fire chief confirmed the fire’s origin in the basement but did not specify the cause. Eyewitness accounts and hospital staff reports suggest significant lapses in safety protocols and emergency response. According to one patient, despite the blaring fire alarm and thick smoke filling the corridors, nursing staff initially dismissed the alarm as a false trigger and restricted patient movement until nearly 2:30 a.m. This delay in evacuation significantly contributed to the casualties, as many patients suffered from smoke inhalation.<\/p>\n

In a harrowing account, a witness described how an aggressive firefighter finally forced the evacuation by shouting and pushing patients and their families toward the emergency exits. This unprofessional conduct, combined with the apparent self-preservation actions of hospital staff, exacerbated the panic and disorganization, leading to more injuries and near-suffocations.<\/p>\n

During the fire, 142 patients were in the hospital. Rescue operations led to the transfer of 95 patients to other hospitals across Rasht. However, most of the deceased were critically ill patients in the ICU and CCU, raising concerns about the hospital’s preparedness and the effectiveness of its emergency protocols.<\/p>\n

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#Iran<\/a>: #Tehran<\/a>'s Iconic High-Rise (#Plasco<\/a> Building) Collapsed Due to Fire. https:\/\/t.co\/YsS6uOPJ3s<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/HuVafSJpU5<\/a><\/p>\n

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) January 19, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n