Early Tuesday morning, a devastating fire engulfed a hospital in Rasht, the capital of Gilan province, northern Iran, resulting in the tragic loss of nine lives, according to state television reports.

The fire, which broke out at approximately 01:30 local time (22:00 GMT Monday), has since been brought under control, though the cause remains under investigation, as confirmed by local authorities. Mohammad Taghi Ashoubi, head of Gilan University of Medical Sciences, expressed sorrow over the incident, stating that the victims included individuals receiving care at the hospital.

The facility, accommodating 250 beds, was reportedly occupied with 142 patients at the time of the blaze. Details regarding the origin of the fire are still being examined by authorities.

This unfortunate incident comes amid past tragedies in Gilan province, including a catastrophic fire in November 2023 that claimed 32 lives at a drug rehabilitation center in Langaroud. Additionally, in June 2020, a fatal explosion caused by ignited gas cylinders in a clinic in northern Tehran resulted in the deaths of at least 19 people.

Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this latest fire as the community mourns the loss of those affected.