A devastating explosion rocked the Port of Shahid Rajaee in Iran’s southern province of Hormozgan on Saturday, claiming at least 25 lives and injuring over 800 people, according to local media reports on Sunday.
The blast occurred in the provincial capital, Bandar Abbas, prompting an immediate suspension of all port activities. Rescue teams were swiftly dispatched to the scene as authorities worked to manage the aftermath. The exact cause of the explosion remains under investigation, with the official news agency IRNA stating it has not yet been determined.
Jalal Maleki, spokesperson for the Tehran Fire Department, told Fars news agency that the massive fire resulting from the explosion has been largely contained. “There are still scattered flames, but they are not worrisome,” he reassured.
In response to the incident, Ahmad Pouyafar, governor of Bandar Abbas, announced the closure of all educational centers across the city on Sunday due to concerns over air pollution stemming from the explosion.
Hossein Zafari, spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Organization, suggested that chemical materials in a container at the port may have caused the blast. However, government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani cautioned against “hasty speculations” until investigations are complete. She confirmed that containers, possibly with chemical materials, were located in a corner of the port.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed sympathy to the victims in a post on X, announcing that he has ordered a thorough investigation into the explosion’s cause. Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni has been dispatched to Hormozgan province to coordinate relief efforts and address the conditions of the injured.
The tragic incident has drawn international condolences. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the losses, stating, “We stand with the Iranian government and people in this hour of grief and sorrow,” and wished a swift recovery for the injured.
