Emergency Teams for ‘Chaharshanbe Suri’

A total of 130 medical teams with more than 200 personnel will be stationed across the capital city Tehran on the night of ‘Chaharshanbe Suri’ or ‘Red Wednesday’, the traditional ritual observed on the last Tuesday of every outgoing Iranian year. It is celebrated by lighting bonfires in the streets and jumping over them “to shake off the darkness of winter and welcome the lightness of spring,” a Persian ritual passed down since ancient Zoroastrian times to welcome the New Persian Year ‘Norouz’ (starts March 21). “Twenty ambulances will also be stationed in different parts of the city, particularly the crowded areas and main intersections,” said Hassan Abbassi, public relations manager of Tehran Emergency Services, IRNA reported. All medical and emergency centers are also on call on Tuesday.