Iran Protests: Hospitals Overwhelmed as Unrest Enters 14th Day

Okay, hereS a breakdown of the key ‍facts from‍ the provided text, organized for clarity.

1. The Protests & Situation ‍in Iran:

* Trigger: Economic hardship.
* Start Date: Approximately two ‍weeks ago (around December 28th).
* Spread: Began in Tehran, now in over 100 cities adn ⁤towns across all⁢ Iranian provinces.
*​ Internet Access: Near-total internet blackout since Thursday⁣ evening, hindering information gathering.
* Casualties:

⁢ * At‍ least 51 protesters killed​ (including 7-9 children, depending⁤ on the source – US-based Human Rights Activist ⁤News Agency vs. Norway-based Iran⁢ Human ⁤Rights). BBC Persian‌ has verified 26​ deaths, including 6 children.
* 21 security personnel reportedly killed.
* ​ arrests: Over 2,311 people arrested.
* tactics: Iranian⁣ security forces‍ are using shotguns firing pellets against protesters. Many protesters are being ⁤shot in the eyes.
* Hospital Overload: Hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties,lacking space in‍ morgues and resources⁢ for treatment. Reports of bodies being stacked in ⁣prayer ⁤rooms. some hospitals ⁤are‌ suspending non-urgent care.
* Demographics of Victims: ⁣ Predominantly young people (20-25 years old).
* ‌⁤ Protest Momentum: Gen Z Iranians are actively encouraging older‌ generations to join the protests.
* ⁣ Government Response: authorities have issued warnings of “decisive” legal action against protesters. The army has ⁣been deployed to defend public property.

2. ‍Key Statements‍ & Reactions:

* Donald Trump: Posted on social media: “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”
* EU (Ursula von der Leyen): Supports Iranian protests and condemns the violent repression.
* UN (Stéphane Dujarric): Expressed disturbance over ⁣the loss of life and affirmed the right to peaceful protest.
* French President: ⁤ (The text cuts off before completing this statement.)

3. Specific, Disturbing Details from Hospital Workers/Doctors:

* “Very horrible scenes” in Tehran hospitals.
* Direct shots to the heads and hearts of young people.
* Lack of ⁣capacity in morgues, bodies stacked on top⁣ of each other.
* ⁣ ⁣ Hospital in Rasht city ‌demanding large sums of money (£5,222/$7,000) from families to release bodies for ‌burial.
* Tehran’s main eye specialist center (Farabi Hospital) in crisis mode.
* ‌ ⁤ Doctors reporting ‍numerous ‍eye injuries.
* ⁣⁣ A medic in Shiraz reported a lack of ‍surgeons to cope with the influx of injured.

4. Evidence & reporting Challenges:

* The BBC and other international news organizations are barred from reporting inside Iran.
* information⁤ is being gathered through sources​ contacting the BBC via satellite connections (Starlink) and verified by BBC Persian.
* Video footage shows protesters burning vehicles and a government building.

let me know if you’d ​like me to focus​ on a specific aspect of this information or analyze it further.