Fire Breaks Out at Qarchak Prison, Gunshots Heard

A fire has broken out at Qarchak women’s prison in Varamin outside the Iranian capital Tehran, IranWire reports. 

The fire has been burning for several minutes, and there are reports of gunshots coming from the prison.

The incident comes amid reports that prison guards have brutally suppressed a symbolic protest planned by inmates to mark the one-year anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death in police custody. 

A source told IranWire that security forces have been dispatched to the prison. 

It is unclear at this time if there are any casualties.

In a post on social media platform X this morning photographer Yalda Moeiri, who was arrested last September, wrote that “there is news from Qarchak prison that the sports club where we were held year has been cleaned and they are ready to admit more inmates."

Qarchak prison is known for its poor conditions and overcrowding.