Iran: at least 20 dead after Tehran's iconic Plasco tower collapses

Iran: at least 20 dead after Tehran's iconic Plasco tower collapses
By Euronews with Press TV, Reuters
Share this articleComments
Share this articleClose Button
Copy/paste the article video embed link below:Copy to clipboardCopied

Dozens are reported dead after Tehran's iconic Plasco building collapsed as firefighters battled a blaze inside.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tehran’s iconic Plasco building has collapsed as firefighters battled a blaze inside.

Iranian state television reports at least 20 firefighters have died and dozens of people were injured. Its feared a number of rescue workers may still be trapped under the rubble.

Between 150 and 200 people are reported to have been inside the tower at the time of the collapse.

Buildings in the surrounding area have been evacuated.

The burning of #plasco passage at the #Tehranpic.twitter.com/YaKTnJpnea

— Kaveh Dehpouyad (@DehpouyadKawe) January 19, 2017

The blaze is believed to have started on the ninth floor.

Firefighters reportedly fought to control the blaze for hours before the 17-storey building started to crumble. It then toppled to the ground in a matter of seconds.

According to fire department spokesperson Jalal Maleki, ten stations responded to the blaze.

Plasco building in central Tehran, looked like this for anyone who hadn't been: pic:eyeontehran #پلاسکو#Tehran#تهران#آتش_نشانانpic.twitter.com/49dzGuUmiw

— Soraya Lennie (@soraya_lennie) January 19, 2017

Plasco tower

Built in the early 1960s, the Plasco tower stood close to the British and Turkish embassies, in the south of the city. Both have reportedly been evacuated.

Plasco housed 400 shops and businesses at the time of the collapse.

Its owner, Habib Elghanian, named it after his plastics manufacturing company. At the time of construction, it was the tallest building in the Iranian capital.

The Iranian Jewish businessman was later tried on charges including espionage and was executed in the months following the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The movement brought the current ruling system to power, prompting many in the longstanding Jewish community to flee.

Share this articleComments

You might also like

G7 allies warn Iran not to provide Russia with ballistic missiles for use in Ukraine

Iran ramps up executions as Western countries divert focus towards Gaza

Iranians prepare for elections on Friday amid widespread fear and discontent