211 chemp patients evacuated: US strikes near Iran cancer hospital for children
A children's cancer hospital in Ahvaz, Iran, was evacuated after US airstrikes occurred in the vicinity. Iranian officials condemned the strikes as a war crime, while the hospital confirmed all patients were safely transferred.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the humanitarian risks associated with military operations near civilian infrastructure in conflict zones.
A cancer hospital in Iran's southwestern city of Ahvaz was temporarily taken out of service after US airstrikes near the facility forced the evacuation of 211 patients, including children undergoing chemotherapy, Iranian state media reported.The strikes late Wednesday targeted areas near Shahid Baghaei Hospital, a specialised centre for haematology and oncology in Khuzestan province. The shockwaves from the explosions affected the facility, prompting authorities to evacuate patients to other medical centres."Some people had children in their arms, some had IVs in their hands and some were in wheelchairs. Everyone went outside," a staff member told Al Jazeera.Iran's state-run IRNA news agency said the evacuation was carried out "to protect the lives of patients," adding that the hospital has been temporarily taken out of service.
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