Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 11
By Fatih Karimov – Trend:
At least seven people, including four children were killed in Iran’s northwestern city of Ardabil in explosion of handmade fireworks and explosives.
The massive explosion, which occurred last night in a residential building in Ardabil’s Araz Ali District, also injured four people, Tasnim news agency reported March 11.
The explosion destroyed the residential building and damaged neighboring houses.
Ardabil’s Public Prosecutor Nasser Atabati confirmed that the explosion occurred while production of handmade fireworks and explosives inside the residential building.
Rescue forces and police are present at the incident site, Atabati said, adding that in the rubble left after the huge explosion they have found materials used for production of handmade explosives.
Each year, Iran’s fire festival ahead of the Iranian New Year leads to various incidents and claims several lives.
The last Wednesday of the Iranian calendar year, called Chahar Shanbe Suri (Festival of Fire), is known as one of the most dangerous days of the year. Iranians traditionally jump over bonfires and use small explosives during the Chahar Shanbe Suri celebrations.
Fireworks and improvised explosives, which are used to mark the event, often cause casualties, as public warnings against the revelry are largely ignored.
