According to media reports, at least 32 people have died in a major fire at a rehab centre for drug addicts in Iran. Sixteen more people were hospitalised as a result of the fire in the province of Gilan in the north of the country, the state news agency Irna reported on Friday, citing authorities.

Reports say that the fire broke out in a drug rehabilitation centre with space for up to 40 people in the town of Langarud. While the cause was initially unclear, an investigation has been launched, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported. The head of the clinic was arrested along with other people in the course of the investigation, the newspaper Sharg reported.

The Iranian news agency Isna published images of the fire in which large clouds of smoke could be seen. Other images showed the heavily damaged facility.