The number of casualties in the festivities on the eve of the last Wednesday of the outgoing Iranian calendar year (ends March 19) reduced by half this year compared to last year, said Amin Saberinia, head of Iran’s Emergency Medical Service. “The number of fatalities due to use of firecrackers and explosive materials dropped to 3 this year, from 9 and 19 in the past two years respectively, and the number of injuries has almost halved to 259 from 500 in the previous year,” he told ISNA.
The last Tuesday of every outgoing year is known as ‘Chaharshanbe Suri’ or Red Wednesday, and celebrated by the people by lighting bonfires in the streets and jumping over them “to cleanse themselves of the misfortunes and impurities of the past year and get ready to welcome the New Year.” The event has transformed over time from a simple bonfire to the use of firecrackers and explosive materials that cause grievous injuries in many instances.
