Bombing at B1 Bridge in Karaj Kills at Least 8, Injures 95
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KARAJ, Iran — A powerful explosion rocked the B1 Bridge in Karaj on Wednesday evening, killing at least eight people and injuring 95 others in an attack that has left authorities scrambling to secure the area.
The blast occurred at approximately 19:54 local time on April 2, 2026, during a period of heavy traffic on the bridge, a key thoroughfare connecting the city to Tehran. Emergency services rushed to the scene immediately following the detonation, which caused significant structural damage to the roadway and surrounding infrastructure.
Iranian Deputy for Security Affairs of the Alborz Province confirmed the casualty figures shortly after the incident. "We are treating the wounded and securing the site," the official stated, though no further details regarding the nature of the device or the perpetrators were provided at the time of the initial briefing.
Witnesses described a deafening boom followed by a thick plume of smoke rising from the bridge. Several vehicles were engulfed in flames, and debris was scattered across multiple lanes. Traffic on the bridge and connecting highways was halted indefinitely as rescue teams worked to extricate victims from damaged cars and clear the wreckage.
Local hospitals in Karaj and Tehran have been placed on high alert to receive the injured. Medical officials reported that many of the victims suffered from blast injuries, shrapnel wounds, and smoke inhalation. The severity of the injuries has overwhelmed local emergency response units, prompting the deployment of additional medical teams from the capital.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear. No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing. Security forces have cordoned off a wide perimeter around the B1 Bridge, and investigators are examining the site for evidence. The area remains a high-security zone, with military and police presence visible throughout the night.
This incident marks one of the deadliest attacks in the region in recent months. The B1 Bridge is a critical transportation link, and the timing of the blast during rush hour exacerbated the impact. Authorities have urged residents to avoid the area and follow official guidance as the investigation continues.
Questions remain regarding the origin of the explosive device and whether the attack was part of a broader coordinated effort. As night fell over Karaj, searchlights illuminated the damaged bridge, where recovery operations were still underway. The full extent of the damage and the identities of the victims are yet to be determined.
Iranian officials have not ruled out the possibility of further incidents, and security measures have been heightened across the Alborz Province. The situation remains fluid as emergency services continue to manage the aftermath of the explosion.