Iran explosion: 19 dead after gas leak at clinic

Firefighters rescued 20 people from the burning building

A man inspects a building at the site of an explosion at a medical clinic in the north of the Iranian capital Tehran, Iran. REUTERS

Oxygen cylinders of a medical clinic are seen at the site of an explosion in the north of the Iranian capital Tehran. REUTERS

A damaged room of a medical clinic is seen at the site of an explosion in the north of the Iranian capital Tehran. REUTERS

A handout photo made available from a video by Iranian state TV (IRIB) shows the moment of an explosion at the Sina Athar health center in the north of Tehran, Iran. EPA

A woman reacts at the site of an explosion at a medical clinic in the north of the Iranian capital Tehran, Iran. REUTERS

An Iranian woman cries the scene of an explosion at the Sina Athar health centre, north of Tehran. EPA

Paramedics gather at the scene of the explosion. AFP Photo

Paramedics gather at the scene of the explosion. AFP Photo

An injured patient is carried carry away. AFP

Medics carry away a woman in a wheelchair. AFP Photo

Iranian civil defence inspect the mangled remains of the building. AFP

A car's windshield is shattered during the explosion. AP Photo

An explosion from a gas leak at a clinic in northern Tehran killed at least 19 people, Iranian state TV reported on Tuesday.

Authorities initially said 13 people were dead, but Jalal Maleki, spokesman for the Tehran Fire Department, later told state TV that the toll had risen to 19.

The state-run Irna news agency quoted Mr Maleki as saying the dead were 15 women and four men.

He said firefighters had rescued 20 people from the medical centre.

Firefighters were still battling the blaze late into the evening.

Video posted online appeared to show more than one explosion and thick black smoke rising from the flames.

Hamidreza Goudarzi, Tehran's deputy governor, said a leak from medical gas tanks in the building caused the explosion and fire.

Local media reported the explosion occurred at the Sina Athar Medical Centre in Tajrish.

People in nearby Tajrish Bazaar rushed to the site, impeding a rescue operation, authorities said.

Videos on social media showed people gathered outside the building.

At least 10 ambulances were sent to the site and a nearby hospital went on alert to receive injured people. Police blocked off all roads to the site.

Authorities said firefighters were trying to move people from nearby buildings to safety.

State TV said there could be more explosions because there were a number of oxygen tanks remaining in the medical centre.