The Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas, Iran, was rocked by a catastrophic explosion on Saturday evening, resulting in at least 25 fatalities and injuring over 1,100 individuals, according to local state media. The blast ignited a major fire that rapidly spread, wreaking havoc on the surrounding areas. In response to concerns over toxic pollutants, Iran's health ministry advised residents to remain indoors as a state of emergency was declared for the province.
Located along the vital Strait of Hormuz, Shahid Rajaee port is crucial for Iran’s trade, handling 85% of the nation's shipping container traffic and a significant portion of its oil exports. By Sunday morning, most of the fire had been brought under control, with firefighters working to extinguish the remaining flames, as reported by the Islamic Republic News Agency.
Authorities suggested the explosion was likely triggered by containers of chemicals, ruling out sabotage or a deliberate attack at this stage. This incident comes five years after a cyberattack, attributed to Israel, disrupted operations at the port amid ongoing tensions between the two nations. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has dispatched the interior minister to lead an investigation and has emphasized the importance of enhancing safety measures at ports and industrial sites to avert future tragedies.
Located along the vital Strait of Hormuz, Shahid Rajaee port is crucial for Iran’s trade, handling 85% of the nation's shipping container traffic and a significant portion of its oil exports. By Sunday morning, most of the fire had been brought under control, with firefighters working to extinguish the remaining flames, as reported by the Islamic Republic News Agency.
Authorities suggested the explosion was likely triggered by containers of chemicals, ruling out sabotage or a deliberate attack at this stage. This incident comes five years after a cyberattack, attributed to Israel, disrupted operations at the port amid ongoing tensions between the two nations. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has dispatched the interior minister to lead an investigation and has emphasized the importance of enhancing safety measures at ports and industrial sites to avert future tragedies.
