A massive explosion in Iran's southern port city of Bandar Abbas killed at least five people and injured more than 700 others Saturday, according to updated reports. The blast occurred at the Shahid Rajaee port facility, a major hub for container shipments.
Thick, gray smoke rose high above the port complex following the powerful blast. Videos verified by reporters showed extensive smoke plumes originating from the port area. Initial reports from state media suggested the explosion was linked to chemicals stored in containers.
Authorities stated containers located in one corner of the port likely held chemicals that ignited. An investigation has been ordered to determine the precise cause once the fire is fully extinguished.
However, a global maritime risk firm offered a different assessment. The firm believed the fire and subsequent massive explosion Iran resulted from improper handling of containers storing solid fuel intended for the country's ballistic missiles. The port handles significant cargo, but the nature of this specific shipment raises security concerns.
The explosion caused widespread damage, scattering debris over a large area. Many buildings within the port complex sustained severe structural damage. Witnesses reported that windows were shattered several kilometers away, and some people were trapped in collapsed structures.
Emergency services rushed the injured to medical centers in Bandar Abbas. The death toll rose throughout the day as rescue efforts continued. A specific entry on the event noted the updated casualty count of five killed and over 700 injured in the Iranian oil port explosion.
President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered an inquiry into the accident, sending the interior minister to the region. Port operations were suspended immediately after the incident, disrupting maritime traffic at the facility.
Shahid Rajaee port is Iran's largest commercial port, handling millions of tons of cargo annually, including oil and general goods. Its strategic location near the Strait of Hormuz makes it a critical part of Iranian trade and supply lines.
Despite the port's significance for oil exports, the country's national oil production company stated the blast had no connection to its oil refineries, fuel tanks, or pipelines. The scale of the explosion was apparent, with residents reporting hearing and feeling it from as far as 50 kilometers away.
An analyst firm stated its belief on the cause, citing the handling of military material.
According to Ambrey Intelligence, a global maritime risk firm, "The fire had been the result of 'improper handling of a shipment of solid fuel intended for use in Iranian ballistic missiles.'"
