A huge explosion occurred at the Shahid Rajai (Bandar Abbas) port in southern Iran on April 26, with at least 25 deaths, more than 800 injuries and 6 missing. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported that windows of nearby buildings were shattered, vehicles were damaged, and residents as far as 50 kilometers away also felt the tremors.
Aerial images showed that at least three areas were on fire. Iranian officials later confirmed that the fire spread, and schools and corporate offices in the area were ordered to close.
A witness said, “The entire warehouse was filled with smoke, dust and ashes. I don’t remember whether I hid under the table or was thrown there by the explosion.”
Xinhua News Agency previously reported that three Chinese citizens were slightly scratched in the explosion at the Shahid Rajai port in southern Iran, and they are fine after treatment. The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) and Reuters reported that Hossein Zafari, spokesman for Iran’s crisis management department, said that the cause of the explosion may be from multiple containers stored in the port or containing chemicals.
He mentioned that the department’s senior officials had previously issued warnings when they inspected the port and pointed out that the area might be dangerous.
An Iranian government spokesman said that although improper handling of chemicals might be the cause of the explosion, the specific cause could not be determined at present.
Officials said that port activities were immediately suspended after the explosion. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed deep sympathy to the victims of the explosion and called for a thorough investigation of the accident.
Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni has gone to the scene of the explosion to respond. He said that the local fire department is continuing to work hard to put out the fire and prevent it from spreading to other areas.
This port is one of Iran’s large shipping bases and one of Iran’s most important ports. According to data from Iran’s official IRNA, more than 55% of Iran’s total non-oil imports and exports are loaded and unloaded at the port. The port also undertakes more than 85% of Iran’s container loading and unloading tasks.
