Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran
Tehran, Apr 27: At least 14 people have died and more than 750 others sustained injuries following a massive explosion at Iran’s Shahid Rajaei Port in the southern province of Hormozgan, according to local media reports.
The blast, which struck Iran’s largest commercial port over 1,000 kilometres south of Tehran, triggered a raging fire that continued for hours. Helicopters were deployed to battle the blaze, but authorities said the fire was still not fully under control.
The Chinese Consulate General in Bandar Abbas confirmed that three Chinese nationals sustained minor injuries and were in stable condition after receiving medical care.
Officials have warned that the death toll could rise as rescue operations are ongoing. “The explosion and fire caused widespread destruction, and rapid reaction teams have been dispatched to the site,” reported the semi-official Tasnim news agency.
The cause of the explosion remains uncertain. However, Hossein Zafari, spokesperson for Iran’s National Disaster Management Organization, said chemical materials stored in a container were responsible. Iran’s government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani urged patience, stating that investigations were still underway and “hasty speculations” should be avoided.
The explosion prompted the closure of all schools and offices in Bandar Abbas and nearby areas due to the heavy air pollution, officials said. Governor Ahmad Pouyafar announced that educational institutions would remain shut on Sunday.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed his condolences via a post on X and directed Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni to personally oversee relief and rescue efforts in Hormozgan.
Despite the scale of the explosion, oil facilities in the region were not affected, the National Iranian Oil Products Refining and Distribution Company clarified in a statement.
Videos shared on social media showed towering plumes of black smoke, fireballs lighting up the night sky, and widespread damage to vehicles and buildings. Bystanders could be seen assisting the injured amidst the devastation.
The Shahid Rajaei Port, a critical hub for Iran’s container traffic and petrochemical storage, remains shut as investigations and rescue efforts continue.