Massive Explosion at Iran’s Shahid Rajaee Port
Break10 Web Desk: A massive explosion rocked the Shahid Rajaee Port in southern Iran today, killing at least four persons and injuring over 560. The blast occurred around midday local time at the Sina container yard within the port, leading to a massive fire and a towering plume of black smoke visible from far. The shockwave shattered windows and caused structural damage to buildings several kilometres away. At least one building collapsed because of the blast.
Preliminary investigation suggest that the explosion was caused by the detonation of several containers, possibly containing hazardous chemicals. Hossein Zafari, a senior official for of Iran’s crisis management organisation, indicated that the blast was likely because of poorly stored chemicals.
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Emergency services, including the Hormozgan Red Crescent Society, dispatched rapid response teams to the scene. Injured individuals were evacuated and transported to nearby hospitals. Firefighting efforts extinguished the blaze. Port operations were temporarily suspended.
Shahid Rajaee is Iran’s largest commercial port, handling approximately 80 million tonnes of goods annually. Located near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, it serves as a critical hub for the country’s maritime trade. The port is situated approximately 23 kilometers west of Bandar Abbas and is adjacent to facilities operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
