The death toll from the fire that broke out in Evin prison in Tehran, Iran, on Saturday, has risen to eight. More than 61 people were injured. The victims died of smoke asphyxiation.
The Iranian authorities confine, among others, political prisoners and foreigners. In Evin prison including Siamak Namazi, a U.S. citizen accused of espionage by Tehran. Earlier, information about shots and explosions in the prison appeared on social media. It is not known whether these events were related to anti-government protests in the country. The Evin Prison holds not only political prisoners but also demonstrators who have been arrested in recent weeks. Anti-government protests broke out in Iran in mid-September following the death of Mahsa Amini, 22. After the police apprehended morals because of “inappropriate head covering,” the woman fell into a coma under unclear circumstances and died in hospital.