At least 18 people have been killed and 750 injured in a huge explosion at the port of Bandar Abbas in southern Iran, according to official Iranian media citing the country’s interior ministry. Interior Minister Eskander Momeni is in Bandar Abbas where the port is located. He confirmed in an interview with the state broadcaster that the fatalities had risen from 8 to 14.
Momeni stated that 200 of the injured have been discharged from hospitals, while 300 are still receiving treatment. He mentioned that the fire has been contained by establishing necessary separations. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and resources from neighboring provinces are assisting in firefighting efforts.
The port and customs operational systems have not sustained significant damage. An order has been given to resume loading, cargo clearance, and customs activities. Firefighters were still working to extinguish the blaze, which remains a priority after completing rescue operations.
All resources from other cities, including Tehran, have been dispatched to Bandar Abbas. It is anticipated that the fire will be contained soon. President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed sympathy for the victims and ordered an investigation into the incident. The interior minister has been sent to the region to guarantee coordination and handle the condition of the injured.
Iran’s Customs Administration has halted the dispatch of export shipments to Shahid Rajaee Customs at Bandar Abbas. They have also stopped transit shipments until further notice. Local media reported that the fire started around 12 pm local time (08:30 GMT) in the container dock area. First indications show there were flammable materials near the site of the explosion. Witness reports suggested that the heat worsened the fire’s spread. Accumulation of flammable substances caused the following explosion.
Shahid Rajaee Port is located in Hormozgan province. It is about 15 kilometers southwest of Bandar Abbas. The port is on the northern shore of the Strait of Hormuz.
News Agencies