The catastrophic explosion and subsequent vast fire occured in Sina Medical Clinic in a crowded street near Tajrish square, killing at least 19 people.

“The explosion resulted from a gas leak in a medical clinic in northern Tehran killed 19 people. The firefighters managed to rescue the other 20 people trapped in the building,” said Jalal Maleki, a spokesman for the Tehran Fire Department.

A search is underway for missing people in the incident. (ILKHA)