During the marathon 53-hour operation both twins lost a lot of blood, but seemed to be doing well. But when they were finally separated they suffered a dramatic blood loss. Doctors gave them emergency blood transfusions, but it was too late. Ladan died an hour after the separation, and Laleh passed away about 90 minutes after her sister.

The twins' bodies were flown home to their native Iran, where they will be buried. Their adoptive parents, who bitterly opposed the operation, are angry that doctors went ahead with such risky surgery. But the twins had been determined, despite the dangers.