Iran: Fire at Evin prison 'under control' after 'clashes' between inmates, say authorities

"Troubles" erupted between inmates and guards at Tehran's Evin prison and a fire broke out but the situation is "under control", Iranian state media reported on Saturday.

"Troubles and clashes took place on Saturday night" in the prison and "rioters" started a fire, the IRNA news agency said, citing a senior security official.

At least eight people were injured, IRNA reported, citing a firefighter at the scene.

"The situation is currently completely under control," according to the security source.

"Calm has been restored and firefighters are working to put out the flames," the source said, adding that "thugs" had set fire to a clothes storage area.

Video footage shared on social media showed flames and a plume of smoke billowing over the prison.

Why is Evin important? Many of Iran’s finest lawyers, intellectuals, workers, authors, activists, students, and teachers, men and women, who have stood up to the Islamic Republic are kept in Evin. Evin is the heart of Iran. #MahsaAmini #مهسا_امینی
pic.twitter.com/1aXY5nq0rm pic.twitter.com/5mhxP1Z7fT

— Omid Memarian (@Omid_M) October 15, 2022

The judiciary's official website Mizan Online said that a section of the prison caught fire "following a fight between several detainees".

Citing the prison service, Mizan said police were "called on to help prison guards restore calm in Evin as quickly as possible".

"The fire has been put out," the report said.

The unrest at the prison came as Iran has been rocked by weeks of protests since Mahsa Amini's death on September 16, three days after she was arrested by morality police in Tehran for allegedly violating the country's strict dress code for women.

The street violence has led to dozens of deaths, mostly among protestors but also members of the security forces, while hundreds have been arrested.