Iran Paint Factory Blast Injures at Least 65

On Monday, an explosion at a factory in northwest Iran injured at least 65 people, according to state media.

Official Iranian news agency IRNA said the explosion, which occurred at a paint factory in Shahid Salimi Industrial Zone in East Azerbaijan Province was caused by a gas leak.

"22 people were treated immediately, and the rest were transferred to medical centres," it added.

Vahid Shadinia, a spokesman for the province's emergency services, told IRNA more than 20 of the injured were taken to "specialized hospitals" in the provincial capital, Tabriz.

Shahid Salimi, located in the city of Azarshahr, is the largest industrial area in northwest Iran.

According to state media, Azarshahr hosts 790 factories and other facilities that employ nearly 28,000 workers.