Fire at Drug Rehabilitation Center in Iran Claims Lives of Multiple Victims

A fire at a drug rehabilitation center in northern Iran has claimed the lives of at least 27 people, according to authorities. The incident occurred in the city of Langarud in Gilan province. Twelve individuals were also taken to the hospital, as confirmed by Esmail Sadeghi, a provincial chief justice. While Iran has stringent measures against drug smugglers and dealers, including the death penalty, the country also operates rehabilitation programs for drug addicts. The cause of the fire is currently unknown, and an investigation is underway. The center had the capacity to accommodate up to 40 individuals. Footage of the fire captured by the semi-official Iranian news agency, Isna, displayed the intensity of the blaze, illuminating the night sky and releasing massive clouds of smoke. After the fire was contained, images revealed extensive damage to the facility. Iran not only faces significant drug addiction challenges, with the highest per-capita number of opioid addicts globally, but it also serves as a major transit point for opium smuggling from neighboring Afghanistan. According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Iran accounted for 47% of global heroin and morphine seizures originating from Afghanistan in 2020. Amnesty International reported in June that Iran had executed at least 173 individuals convicted of drug-related offenses this year, highlighting concerns about unfair trials in the country. This figure nearly triples the number from the same period last year.