2 killed, 603 injured in fire festival celebrations in Iran

At least two persons were killed and 603 were injured during the "fire festival" in Iran on Tuesday, according to official IRNA news agency.

A total of 32 people were amputated due to severe injuries in the celebrations of Chaharshanbe Suri, or the fire festival, Mojtaba Khaledi, spokesman of the Emergency Organization of the country, was quoted as saying.

The fire festival is celebrated by Iranians on the eve of the last Wednesday before Nowruz, the Iranian new year, which falls on March 20 this year.

On Tuesday evening, Iranians celebrated the fire festival by jumping over bonfires and using firecrackers in public places. For Iranians, the rites have the significance of bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new year.

The celebrations were held despite the authorities' incessant demands to avoid public gatherings over the spread of COVID-19.