Explosion at Iran’s Bandar Abbas Port Kills 18 and Injures Hundreds, Likely Linked to Chemicals

A devastating explosion at Bandar Abbas, Iran’s largest port, on Saturday has left at least 18 dead and over 700 injured. The blast, believed to be caused by the ignition of chemicals stored in containers, rocked the Shahid Rajaee section of the port, one of Iran’s busiest.

Details of the Incident

Hossein Zafari, spokesperson for Iran’s crisis management organization, indicated that improper chemical storage at the port may have triggered the explosion. “The chemicals inside the containers were the cause of the blast,” he explained. Zafari also revealed that prior warnings had been issued by the Director General of Crisis Management, highlighting the potential dangers of such storage practices at Shahid Rajaee.

Despite this, an Iranian government spokesperson stated that, while chemicals likely caused the explosion, the exact reason for the blast had not yet been determined. In response, President Masoud Pezeshkian called for an investigation into the incident and dispatched the interior minister to the site. The minister confirmed that efforts were ongoing to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further.

Scenes of Destruction and Aftermath

Footage aired by Iran’s state-run news channels showed a large, dark cloud of smoke billowing over the port, with flames still visible in the aftermath. The explosion severely damaged nearby office buildings, blowing off doors and scattering debris.

Shahid Rajaee port, strategically located near the Strait of Hormuz, serves as the country’s main container hub, handling much of Iran’s cargo. The blast shattered windows across a wide radius, including on Qeshm Island, located 26 kilometers (16 miles) south of the port.

Eyewitness footage posted by the semi-official Tasnim news agency showed injured people being helped on the road amid chaotic scenes. Local crisis management officials suggested that improper handling of flammable materials may have contributed to the explosion, and it was reported that the container yard where the blast took place contained “dangerous goods and chemicals.”

As emergency responders worked to put out the fire, port customs officials confirmed that trucks were being evacuated from the affected area. Following the blast, operations at the port were halted.

Despite the severity of the explosion, Iranian authorities confirmed that the blast did not affect any oil facilities. The National Iranian Petroleum Refining and Distribution Company issued a statement assuring that its operations—including refineries, fuel tanks, and pipelines—were not impacted by the incident.

The Iranian government has launched an investigation into the cause of the explosion. While authorities continue to focus on the chemical storage issue, further inquiries will seek to determine if any other factors contributed to the incident. The investigation is expected to bring more clarity on the explosion’s exact cause in the coming days.

Photo credit: EPA. All rights reserved.