Staff at several hospitals in Iran report being overwhelmed with dead and injured as anti-government protests escalate. Tortuous descriptions from medics reveal a stark reality: 'There wasn't even time for CPR.' With injuries caused by gunfire, several hospitals have gone into crisis mode, struggling to manage the influx of wounded.
A medic from Tehran’s healthcare system said, 'We treated individuals who had received direct shots to their heads or hearts.' Reports indicate that security forces utilized both live ammunition and shotgun pellets during the recent unrest.
The Iranian government has seen the situation worsen over the past weeks, with protests springing up in over 100 cities in response to socio-economic hardships. Eyewitness accounts highlight the extreme violence, with many young people among the dead and injured.
As tensions rise, world leaders, including US President Trump, have vowed to respond sternly if the violence continues. Simultaneously, Iranian officials point the finger at outside forces for inciting chaos, compounding an already tense atmosphere.
Medical personnel detailing the plight within their hospitals indicate severe resource shortages, with entire emergency units unprepared for the sudden surge in trauma cases. Despite the obstacles they face, workers are fighting tirelessly to save lives amid the chaotic backdrop of civil unrest.
The protests have evolved from being peaceful demonstrations against economic difficulties to a vigorous outcry against the regime itself, considering this some of the most substantial unrest since the 2022 Amini uprising. Reports of casualties continue to rise, with international observers urging the government to uphold citizens’ rights to peacefully protest.
