On Saturday morning, a devastating explosion occurred at the Shahid Rajaee port near Bandar Abbas, Iran, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least four individuals and injuring approximately 500 others, as reported by state media.
The blast was so powerful that it shattered windows in nearby office buildings and caused the roof of one structure to collapse. Eyewitness footage captured the chaos as people fled from the scene while others lay injured on the ground. Reports indicate that some individuals may be trapped under fallen debris.
Emergency response and ongoing fire
A significant fire continues to blaze at the container terminal, with thick plumes of black smoke rising above the port area. Emergency crews have been dispatched to the scene, utilizing helicopters in an effort to extinguish the flames. Medics have been quickly transporting the injured to nearby medical facilities.
“Some workers are still trapped under collapsed roofs and we are trying to rescue them,”
an official stated to local media, highlighting the urgency of the situation. The explosion reportedly followed a fire that erupted and spread to unsealed containers believed to be storing flammable materials, likely chemicals.
Details on the incident’s cause
A crisis management official indicated that the explosion was linked to the detonation of several containers in the port’s wharf area. Analysts from Ambrey Intelligence suggested that the containers involved contained solid fuel intended for Iranian missiles. They noted improper handling of the shipment as a possible cause of the fire.
At the time of the explosion, 12 merchant vessels were identified within five nautical miles of the incident, with seven already berthed at the port. Shahid Rajaee port, situated about 20 kilometers (12 miles) west of Bandar Abbas, is Iran’s largest commercial port and a crucial shipping hub near the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for oil transportation.
Officials from Iran’s national oil production company have clarified that the explosion was unrelated to the country’s oil refineries, fuel tanks, or pipelines. Witnesses reported feeling and hearing the blast from as far as 50 kilometers (31 miles) away.
In response to this tragedy, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed his “deep regret and sympathy” for the victims and announced a government investigation into the circumstances surrounding the explosion.