Explosion at largest port in southern Iran: 18 dead, over 700 injured
Photo: Explosion in the port of Shahid Rajaee in Iran (WatchTowerGW)
On Saturday, a massive explosion in the port of Bandar Abbas in southern Iran killed 18 people and injured nearly a thousand. The tragedy was probably caused by improper storage of chemical materials, reports Reuters.
According to the latest reports, the tragedy claimed the lives of at least 18 people and injured more than 700.
An Ilyushin aircraft belonging to the I.R.G.C. helps with operations to extinguish the fire at Shahid Rajaee Port in southern Iran. pic.twitter.com/xsQvGDuemI
— IRNA News Agency (@IrnaEnglish) April 27, 2025
The explosion occurred in the port of Shahid Rajaee as Iran began the third round of nuclear talks with the United States in Oman.
The explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas, southern #Iran, on April 26 has left at least 14 dead and 750 injured as of April 27. Rescue teams are actively carrying out emergency operations.
— Bridging News (@BridgingNews_) April 27, 2025
Source: CCTV pic.twitter.com/tmaNFSI2db
According to Reuters sources, no connection between the two events has been found. Hossein Zafari, a spokesman for the Iranian crisis management organization, blamed the tragedy on improper storage of chemicals in the port's containers.
“The cause of the explosion was the chemicals inside the container,” Zafari said.
Earlier, the director general of crisis management warned of the danger at this facility.
Iran's official news channels showed footage of a huge black and orange cloud of smoke rising after the explosion, as well as the destruction of the office building with broken doors and scattered papers.
The footage of the explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port begins with an orange mist caused by Ammonium Nitrate, a substance commonly used as fertilizer, followed by a fire and culminating in the main explosion. pic.twitter.com/t9k0Lm1fGi
— The Tradesman (@The_Tradesman1) April 27, 2025
The explosions damaged windows for several kilometers around, and the sounds of explosions were heard even on the island of Qeshm, located 26 kilometers from the port.
Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian ordered an investigation into the incident and sent the minister of the interior to the site.
According to local authorities, rescuers continue to extinguish fires, while customs officials have evacuated trucks from the explosion area.
The Shahid Rajaee port has been temporarily suspended.
This port is the largest container center in Iran and is of strategic importance due to its location near the Strait of Hormuz.
Explosion in the port of Bandar Abbas
Yesterday, April 26, a powerful explosion occurred in the port in the south of Iran. An office building was destroyed.
The blast wave was so powerful that it destroyed an office building and damaged dozens of cars. The port's operations were temporarily suspended to deal with the consequences.
