'There wasn't even time for CPR': Iran medics describe hospitals overwhelmed with dead and injured protesters

"Staff at three hospitals in Iran have told the BBC their facilities are overwhelmed with dead or injured patients, as major anti-government protests continue. A medic at one Tehran hospital said there were "direct shots to the heads of the young people, to their hearts as well", while a doctor said an eye hospital in the capital had gone into crisis mode. Two of the medical workers who spoke to the BBC said they treated gunshot wounds from both live ammunition and pellets."

"The protests began in the capital Tehran a fortnight ago over economic hardship. They have since spread to more than 100 cities and towns across all of Iran's provinces. Hundreds of protesters are believed to have been killed and injured, and many more detained. BBC Persian has confirmed the identities of 26, including six children. Members of the security forces have also been killed, with one human rights group putting the number at 14."

"BBC Persian has verified that 70 bodies were brought to Poursina Hospital in Rasht city on Friday night. The morgue there was at full capacity, so the bodies were taken away. The authorities asked the relatives of the dead for 7 billion rials (£5,222; $7,000) to release them for burial, a hospital source said. The BBC and most other international news organisations are unable to report from inside Iran, and the country has been under a near-total internet blackout since Thursday evening, making obtaining and verifying information difficult."

Staff at multiple Iranian hospitals report facilities overwhelmed with dead and injured amid escalating anti-government protests. Medical workers described direct shots to protesters' heads and hearts, an eye hospital entering crisis mode, and treatment of gunshot wounds from both live ammunition and pellets. The United States warned that killing protesters could prompt a military response, while Iran blamed the US for turning protests into violent subversive acts and vandalism. Protests began in Tehran two weeks ago over economic hardship and have spread to more than 100 cities. Hundreds are believed killed or injured, many detained, and a near-total internet blackout hinders verification.

Read at Yahoo News