Twenty seven people were killed and more than 4,000 injured during celebrations for Iran's traditional fire festival ahead of the Persian New Year, state media reported.
The fire festival, called Chaharshanbe Suri in Farsi, is celebrated every year on the night of the last Tuesday of the Iranian calendar year, which ends on March 20.
Since February 20, 27 people have died in incidents related to Chaharchanbe Suri," including at least 11 on the day of the event along with more than 4,095 injured.
During the festival, participants jump over bonfires to purify themselves and ward off evil spirits.
The festival is part of Iran's pre-Islamic heritage and generally frowned upon by the Shiite clerical establishment. But it is popular with young people, many of whom make their own fireworks for the event, a practice that sometimes results in injury or even death.
