4 Prisoners Killed, 61 Injured in Evin Prison Fire

A fire broke out in Tehran’s Evin Prison on Saturday night, killing four inmates and injuring 61, according to a report published by the Judiciary on Sunday. 
The four prisoners lost their lives due to smoke inhalation, and four others required hospitalization and are in critical condition, ISNA reported. 
All deceased inmates were serving time for theft and financial crimes. 
Based on the Judiciary’s account, a fight erupted among some prisoners convicted of theft and financial crimes, followed by a fire which started in a tailoring workshop. 
“[The fire] led to the rapid and on time entry of the police and rescue teams and a significant number of prisoners were saved and transported to a safe location,” the Judiciary’s media center said in the statement. 
Out of the 61 detainees injured, most were treated on sight and only ten needed hospital care. Four remain in unstable conditions. 
Several inmates convicted of violent crimes tried to take advantage of the ensuing mayhem to break out of prison but were successfully detained by prison guards. 
Calm had returned to Evin Prison by midnight and prisoners were allowed to call their loved ones to alleviate concerns, the report stated. 
Families of the deceased had also been informed and information on the identity of the casualties will be announced after the Judiciary authorizes its release. 
Several Iranian authorities, including Tehran prosecutor Ali Salehi and Tehran Province’s Governor-General Mohsen Mansouri stated several hours after the start of the fire that the situation was under control and that the fire had been contained. 
A delegation from the parliament’s committee for national security is set to pay a visit to Evin Prison in the near future. Parliament members were briefed on Saturday night’s clashes in wards seven and eight the following day.