Fire Festival celebrations kill 3, injure over 1,000 in Iran
At least three people were killed and 1,030 others injured during the celebrations of Chaharshanbe Suri, or Fire Festival, in Iran on Tuesday, Iranian Student News Agency reported, citing the head of the country's Emergency Organization.
A total of 80 people were amputated for severe injuries and 342 others injured in their eyes in the celebrations, said Pir Hossein Kolivand, according to Xinhua.
The celebrations were held despite the fact that the authorities had demanded public gatherings be avoided over the spread of COVID-19.
Fire Festival is celebrated annually by Iranians on the eve of last Wednesday before Nowruz, the Iranian new year, which begins on March 21 this year.