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RFL/RE – A devastating fire at the private Qaem hospital in Rasht, northern Iran, has resulted in the deaths of nine people, Iranian news agencies reported, including some patients in intensive care.
Mohammad Taghi Ashoubi, head of Gilan University of Medical Sciences, confirmed that the death toll had risen to nine following the death of another victim from the fire, which started in the early morning hours at the 250-bed facility on June 18.
At the time of the blaze, approximately 140 patients were in the facility, with 120 sustaining injuries, officials said.
Rasht fire department officials said it took three hours to bring the fire under control.
“By the time we arrived, the basement and the intensive-care rooms were on fire. The fire originated in the hospital’s utility room,” said Shahram Momeni, head of the fire brigade.
Qaem hospital, established in 2013 and affiliated with the Gilan University of Medical Sciences, houses over 200 beds and includes facilities catering to both local and medical tourists. These include specialized and super-specialized departments such as dialysis, chemotherapy, emergency services, angiography, and maternity and pediatric care.
The fire highlights ongoing safety concerns in Iranian health-care facilities as it follows a tragic fire in November 2023 that killed 36 people at the First Step to Freedom addiction treatment center in Langarud, Gilan Province.
Other notable fires at Tehran medical facilities include a large blaze at the Gandhi Hospital and the deadly explosion at Sina At’har medical diagnostic clinic in July 2020, which claimed 19 lives and injured 14 others.
