Explosion in Tehran's Grand Bazaar Leaves at Least 39 Injured

Reports indicate that an explosion in one of the passages of Tehran's Grand Bazaar has left at least 39 injured, with some in critical condition, according to the emergency services spokesperson. ISNA news agency reported that this explosion occurred on Wednesday afternoon, March 16, in the three-story Qeysariyeh passage related to gold merchants. Hours earlier, Hassan Abbasi, the spokesperson for Tehran's emergency services, announced that the number of injured had reached 39. He added, '24 of these individuals were transferred to Sina Hospital, eight to Luqman Hospital, and seven were treated on an outpatient basis at Seyyed al-Shahada Hospital, some of whom are unfortunately in critical condition.' Abbasi attributed the explosion to a gas cylinder, but Hossein Sajjadi-Nia, the police chief of Tehran, who was present at the scene, stated to Fars News Agency that chemical compounds likely caused the explosion. Meanwhile, it has been reported that the head of the Tehran Criminal Court has also arrived at the scene and ordered an investigation into the explosion. Reports indicate that the streets surrounding this passage have been closed by the police. Hossein Ashtari, the commander of the Islamic Republic's Law Enforcement Force, mentioned in an interview with Iran's Channel 2 television that one person has been arrested in connection with the explosion, without providing further details. According to Khabar Online, he added, 'The latest information suggests that the explosion involved chemical materials likely intended for making fireworks for the last Wednesday of the year. Our prediction was that materials for fireworks were being prepared. They may not have succeeded.' Mohammad Kashti Ara, the head of the Gold and Jewelry Union, also told Mizan News Agency that due to the market's closure, the number of injured was low. He explained the cause of the explosion, stating, 'For some time, the use of air cutting cylinders in jewelry stores has been banned, but one of the jewelers in this passage was using this cylinder away from the eyes of union inspectors and police, which led to today's incident.'