A massive explosion at Bandar Abbas port in Iran killed at least 18 people and injured over 700. The blast, caused by poor chemical storage, has led authorities to investigate the incident. Firefighting efforts are still ongoing.
Cause of the explosion
The explosion occurred on Saturday in the Shahid Rajaee section of Bandar Abbas. Authorities believe the blast resulted from chemicals stored improperly in containers. There is no connection between this explosion and the nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Oman.
Hossein Zafari, spokesperson for Iran’s Crisis Management Organisation, linked the blast to poor storage practices. He said earlier visits had highlighted the risks at Shahid Rajaee. “The explosion came from the chemicals inside the containers,” he told ILNA news.
Despite this, an Iranian government spokesperson said it was too early to determine the exact cause. However, chemicals likely contributed to the explosion.
Ongoing efforts and investigation
President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered an investigation into the explosion. He sent the Interior Minister to the site, where efforts continue to control the fire and prevent its spread.
State TV showed footage of thick black and orange smoke rising from the port. An office building nearby had its doors blown off, and debris lay scattered in the area.
Bandar Abbas port, located near the Strait of Hormuz, is Iran’s largest container terminal. It handles most of the country’s cargo. The explosion shattered windows several kilometres away, and people heard the blast on Qeshm Island, 26 kilometres (16 miles) south of the port.
The semi-official Tasnim news agency shared images of injured people being treated in the streets. State TV reported that poor handling of flammable materials likely contributed to the explosion. A local crisis official confirmed that multiple containers had exploded.
