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Plasco, Day Seven: 'Hope of Finding the Bodies of the Victims is Diminishing'

Jan 28, 2026 January 28, 2026 2 min read 📰 Radio Farda
📋 Key Takeaway

On the seventh day of search operations at the Plasco building collapse site, hopes of finding victims' bodies are fading due to high temperatures and molten metal. Six bodies have been identified, but at least 20 others remain unaccounted for. The situation highlights ongoing challenges in rescue efforts and the risks faced by emergency responders.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The Plasco building collapse underscores critical safety and emergency response challenges in Iran.

👥 Key Players

Jalal Maleki MENTIONED
Spokesperson for the Fire Department
"He is responsible for communicating the status of rescue operations and the challenges faced by emergency responders."
Iranian Forensic Doctor MENTIONED
Medical official overseeing identification of victims
"Their work is crucial for providing closure to families of the victims and managing public expectations."
Mehr News Agency MENTIONED
News outlet reporting on the situation
"As a state-affiliated media, it shapes public perception and government accountability regarding the incident."

📰 What Happened

On the seventh day of search operations at the Plasco building collapse site, hopes of finding additional victims are fading due to extreme temperatures and molten metal. Six bodies have been identified, but at least 20 individuals remain unaccounted for.

  • The Plasco building, a 50-year-old structure, caught fire and subsequently collapsed.
  • Rescue efforts are complicated by ongoing fires and hazardous conditions beneath the rubble.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: The incident raises concerns about building safety regulations and the effectiveness of emergency response systems in Iran.
🌍 Regional: It may affect regional perceptions of Iran's infrastructure stability and governance.
🌐 International: International observers may scrutinize Iran's disaster response capabilities and infrastructure management.

📚 Background

The Plasco building was a significant commercial structure in Tehran, and its collapse has drawn attention to the risks associated with aging buildings in urban areas.

Urban safety regulations Emergency response in disaster situations
📡 Source: STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence: 70%
As a state-affiliated news outlet, Mehr News Agency may present information that aligns with government narratives, so readers should consider potential biases.

According to reports from the Plasco building, while less than 20% of the rubble remains, 'the temperature is very high' and 'layers of molten iron' are still visible. Mehr News Agency states that hopes of finding the bodies of the victims are decreasing. ISNA reports that search operations at the site continue 'given the very high temperature beneath the rubble' on the seventh day. Mehr News also reported early on February 6 that 85% of the rubble has been removed, while adding that 'with each mechanical excavation, a layer of molten iron is pulled out from under the rubble. The volume of melted metals beneath the rubble is beyond imagination, and under these conditions, hopes of finding the bodies' of the victims, including firefighters and other citizens, 'are diminishing moment by moment.' Currently, there are still hidden fires among the rubble. Jalal Maleki, the spokesperson for the fire department, also stated that his colleagues are trying to complete the debris removal operation by tomorrow, Thursday. Mr. Maleki also noted, 'However, due to the complexity of the work, if this does not happen, a new decision will be made.' This fire department official did not specify what the possible alternative decision would be. Mehr News Agency predicts that rescuers will reach the bodies of the victims by tomorrow. Meanwhile, the Iranian forensic doctor announced that the identities of six bodies pulled from the rubble have been determined. The deceased firefighters have been identified as Behnam Mirzakhani, Ali Amini, and Fereydoun Alitabaar, and three other citizens as Haidar Pehlavani, Javad Hosseingholi Zadeh, and Mahmoud Mohseni. Based on initial estimates and the number of those whose identities have been confirmed, there is still no news about the status of at least 20 other individuals. The 50-year-old Plasco building caught fire early last Thursday, and shortly after, while rescuers and firefighters were helping and extinguishing the fire, it collapsed.

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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