Iran's embassy in London blown up during siege

May 6, 1980

The six-day siege at the Iranian Embassy in London resulted in several explosions Monday which put the building in flames. Gunfire broke out after the explosions rocked the building. The fate of the remaining hostages, estimated at 20, taken during the seizure last Wednesday was not immediately known, but it appeared that at least six had escaped. Before the explosions, witnesses said police left the embassy with a stretcher after two or three shots were heard from inside the building.

Units of British intelligence force entered the embassy with automatic weapons in the midst of gunfire.