Dozens die as Tehran's blazing Plasco tower crumbles in seconds
- 7 years ago
Tehran’s iconic Plasco building has collapsed as firefighters battled a blaze inside.
Iranian state television reports at least 30 people have died and dozens were injured. Its feared a number of rescue workers may be trapped under the rubble.
The burning of #plasco passage at the #Tehran pic.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. Around 40 firefighters are thought to have been on the scene.
Plasco building in central Tehran, looked like this for anyone who hadn’t been: pic:eyeontehran #پلاسکو #Tehran #تهران #آتش_نشانان pic.twitter.com/49dzGuUmiw— Soraya Lennie (@soraya_lennie) January 19, 2017
Built in the early 1960s, the Plasco tower stood close to the British embassy, in the south of the city.
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.
Iranian state television reports at least 30 people have died and dozens were injured. Its feared a number of rescue workers may be trapped under the rubble.
The burning of #plasco passage at the #Tehran pic.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. Around 40 firefighters are thought to have been on the scene.
Plasco building in central Tehran, looked like this for anyone who hadn’t been: pic:eyeontehran #پلاسکو #Tehran #تهران #آتش_نشانان pic.twitter.com/49dzGuUmiw— Soraya Lennie (@soraya_lennie) January 19, 2017
Built in the early 1960s, the Plasco tower stood close to the British embassy, in the south of the city.
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.