Blast at Teheran clinic kills 19, says state news agency

First responders carry away an injured person on a stretcher. PHOTO: AFP
First responders gather at the scene of the explosion. PHOTO: AFP
First responders search for survivors at the scene of the explosion. PHOTO: AFP

TEHERAN (REUTERS) - Nineteen people were killed and six injured on Tuesday (June 30) in an explosion at a medical clinic in the north of the Iranian capital Teheran, the official IRIB news agency reported, quoting state officials.

A gas leak caused the blast, Teheran Deputy Governor Hamid Reza Goudarzi told state television.

A video posted on social media appeared to show multiple explosions at the north Teheran site and another showed firefighters using a ladder to reach the roof of the building.

Reuters could not independently verify the authenticity of the videos.

A fire touched off by the blast has been extinguished, Jalal Maleki, the Teheran Fire Department spokesman said on state TV.

The clinic, which had 25 employees inside at the time of the blast, primarily carries out light surgeries and medical imaging, Harirchi said.

Last week, an explosion occurred close to a sensitive military site near Teheran which the defence ministry said was caused by a leaking tank at a gas storage facility. No deaths or injuries were reported.

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