Connect with us

Latest News

Over 50 Killed Including Firefighters in Tehran Building Collapse

Published

on

(Last Updated On: October 24, 2022)

iran-plasco-building_650x400_61484820723A historic high-rise in the heart of Tehran caught fire and collapsed Thursday in a giant cloud of smoke, killing dozens of firefighters who were battling the blaze, Iranian news media reported.

At least 50 firefighters were killed in the collapse of the 17-story Plasco Building, a symbol of modernity that was constructed in the early 1960s, the official IRNA news agency said.

Local news media quoted Tehran emergency operations officials as saying at least 70 people were believed trapped under the wreckage. More than two dozen had been hospitalized.

Rescue dogs were helping search crews hunt for survivors as police cordoned off several blocks in an area populated with foreign embassies just north of the capital’s main bazaar.

President Hassan Rouhani issued a statement asking the Interior Ministry to investigate the cause of the fire, which broke out on the top floors shortly after 8 a.m., while garment merchants were doing business and tour guides were leading visitors through the building.

Television footage and videos circulating on social media captured the shock of Iranians at the scene of the collapse, some bursting into tears, others holding their heads in shock at the loss of an iconic structure.

“This landmark of modernity is gone,” said Siavash Ramesh, a tour guide who was working in the building Thursday morning.

The building was a familiar and beloved part of the low-slung capital’s scattered skyline, erected during a decade of rapid economic growth under Iran’s former monarchy and attached to a large shopping mall.

A rectangular block that seemed drab by today’s standards, it was for a generation of Iranians the tallest and most magnificent high-rise in the country.

It also stood out for its builder: a Jewish plastics tycoon, Habib Elghanian, who was executed in the months after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran’s ruling mullahs accused Elghanian, the head of a prominent association of Jewish Iranians, of spying for Israel, which triggered an exodus of Jews from the country.

For some Iranians, the building’s collapse was akin to losing a family member.

“Our landmark monument is gone, right before our eyes,” said Nasrin Sadvand, a Tehran resident who was near the site.

Others saw deeper meaning in the building’s collapse. Ramesh, the tour guide, recalled the story of how a political activist who opposed the ruling theocracy was allegedly dropped from the top of the building by security agents for refusing to disclose sensitive information.

“The building took revenge from the people who misused it,” Ramesh said.

Los Angles Times

Advertisement

Latest News

Iranian FM warns US interventions in Afghanistan ‘complicating situation’

Published

on

(Last Updated On: May 14, 2024)

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Monday that continued interventions by the US into the internal affairs of Afghanistan will complicate the country’s situation.

In a meeting in Tehran with the head of the UN in Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, Amir-Abdollahian said Iran closely follows the developments in Afghanistan and supports stability, security, and sustainable development in the neighboring country.

He also said Iran supports the role of the United Nations in helping the people of Afghanistan.

According to Iran’s Mehr News, Amir-Abdollahian raised the issue of Afghan nationals in Iran and urged the UN to address the situation.

He also reportedly criticized the US for its “destructive role in Afghanistan during its presence in the country”, noting that the continuation of targeted interventions by the US in the internal affairs of Afghanistan will complicate the situation further.

Amir-Abdollahian emphasized the need for diverse and multi-layered solutions to Afghanistan’s complex problems, Mehr News reported.

Otunbayeva in turn explained the latest developments and issues in Afghanistan and the upcoming Doha meeting in Qatar.

She also stressed the need to coordinate the diverse positions of regional players to help with the development and stability of the country.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Afghanistan loses UN voting rights over unpaid dues

Published

on

(Last Updated On: May 14, 2024)

Afghanistan is facing another set back at the United Nations after its General Assembly voting rights were suspended due to unpaid fees.

Nasir Faiq, who has acted as Afghanistan’s representative at the UN says that failure to settle outstanding dues since the Islamic Emirate’s takeover in August 2021 led to the organization’s decision.

As a result, Afghanistan was unable to exercise its right to vote at the recent General Assembly vote concerning the recognition of the State of Palestine.

Continue Reading

Latest News

200 booths at Kabul expo showcase women’s products

Published

on

(Last Updated On: May 13, 2024)

In the national and international expo of Industry Week, which opened in Kabul on Sunday, 200 booths are dedicated to women’s products.

The seven-day expo in Chaman Huzuri area has 800 booths in total.

Women have also put their products, handicrafts and paintings on display.

“This exhibition is very good,” said Mahnaz, a participant of the expo. “People encourage us a lot which makes us proud. But so far, we could not sell because the people’s economy has become very weak.”

Like Mahnaz, there are many women who play their role in the economic growth of individuals and the country, and through commercial activities, they want to convey the message that Afghan women have the capabilities in various sectors, especially business, although they do not seem satisfied enough with their sales.

“They (authorities) should provide us with the ground for growth; allow us to grow in different fields; Afghanistan has many talents in every field,” said Noreen, a participant of the expo.

The visitors also emphasize on supporting women in business and on the use of women’s products.

“This exhibition has a very positive effect on Afghan girls. They can showcase their products and promote their businesses,” said Zakira, a visitor.

Organizers say that women have showcased mostly handicrafts, hand-made dresses, food and non-food items.

According to the statistics of the Afghanistan International Expo Center, in the past year, nearly 10 joint expos of Afghan products with countries such as Qatar, Oman, Iran, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan were held in Kabul.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2022 Ariana News. All rights reserved!