'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. On Friday, the US repeated that killing protesters would be met with a military response. Iran blamed the US for turning peaceful protests into what it called "violent subversive acts and widespread vandalism". Reacting to the latest developments, President Trump posted on social media: "Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!" Warning: This article contains graphic descriptions of death and injury 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... (Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com