How many inmates truly perished in the Evin prison blaze?

Question

Accepted Answer

The True Fatality Count in Evin Prison Fire Remains Unclear Amidst Conflicting Reports

The exact number of inmates who perished in the fire at Tehran's Evin prison is uncertain, with official figures being revised and challenged by human rights organisations. Initially, four deaths were reported due to smoke inhalation, but this toll was later updated to eight following the deaths of four injured inmates in hospital. However, Iran Human Rights (IHR) has disputed the official account, citing a pattern of governmental obfuscation and suggesting the true number of fatalities could be higher.
Conflicting Official Tally

The judiciary's Mizan Online reported an initial death toll of four inmates succumbing to smoke inhalation following the blaze on Saturday. This figure was subsequently revised on Monday to a total of eight, after four additional inmates who had sustained injuries during the fire passed away in hospital. Earlier, state television had briefly announced a significantly higher figure of 40 fatalities before retracting it to the initial count of four within minutes, contributing to the confusion surrounding the event.
Human Rights Group's Skepticism

Oslo-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) has publicly rejected the official narrative presented by the Iranian authorities. The organisation pointed to the Islamic republic's "long history of concealing facts" as a basis for its distrust. IHR has also reported receiving information suggesting that special forces were deployed to instigate prisoners and create conditions for a crackdown, and has called for a United Nations-backed international investigation to ascertain the truth of the events.
Reports of Further Violence and Inmate Distress

Beyond the reported fire, there are accounts of significant unrest within the prison. Gunshots and explosions were reportedly heard from inside Evin during the incident, and authorities claimed the fire was a result of "riots and clashes" among prisoners, with "thugs" torching a prison clothing depot. Human rights activists and relatives of inmates have expressed grave concerns, with some reporting that security forces used tear gas within the facility. Supporters of one Austrian prisoner indicated he was suffering from smoke and tear gas inhalation and was in "big distress."

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

How many inmates truly perished in the Evin prison blaze?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends