Date: 20 August 1978

Location: Abadan, Iran

Type of event: terrorism

Description:

A group of Islamic extremists set fire to a crowded theater in Abadan, Iran. The moviegoers were violating Islamist beliefs by watching movies during the Islamic month of Ramadan. The single exit to the theater was locked with the assistance of a theater employee while the building was set ablaze with incendiary bombs. A small number of occupants were able to escape; most, however, were stampeded or died of smoke inhalation or flames.

Consequences: 477 killed, 10 injured

References:

• The New York Times, 21 Aug. 1978, p. 20; 22 Aug. 1978, p. 45; 23 Aug. 1978, p. 79.
• "Selected (Fire-)Bombings and Assault Cases: Incidents involving more than 100 fatalities," 2004, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, on line [http://www.unodc.org/unodc/terrorism_high_casualty.html].

© 2017 by Wm. Robert Johnston.
Last modified 26 November 2017.
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