Islamabad, 26 April 2025: An explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port in the southern province of Hormozgan in Iran has left at least four people dead and over 500 injured.
According to Babak Mahmoudi, head of the Red Crescent Society’s Relief and Rescue Organisation, rescuers have confirmed four fatalities.
State television, citing emergency officials, reported that 516 people had suffered injuries, with hundreds taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The blast occurred around 12:30am local time on Saturday (2100 GMT/2am PKT).
Shahid Rajaee Port, a key facility near the Strait of Hormuz, lies about 15 kilometres southwest of Bandar Abbas, a major shipping hub.
Officials from Iran’s crisis management organisation suggested that the explosion was likely triggered by chemical materials improperly stored in containers.
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Hossein Zafari, a spokesperson for the agency, said inspections in the past had already warned of potential dangers at the port.
Semi-official news agencies offered slightly different accounts.
Tasnim News Agency suggested the blast might have involved a fuel tank, although no official confirmation has been issued yet.
Meanwhile, Fars News Agency reported that the explosion took place at one of the docks, adding that firefighting teams were working to bring the situation under control.
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Emergency services and rapid response units were dispatched immediately, and port operations have been suspended to allow security and rescue efforts to continue safely.
The explosion came as Iran entered a third round of nuclear talks with the United States in Oman.
However, officials have not indicated any connection between the diplomatic negotiations and the incident at the port.
Authorities have promised a full investigation into the cause of the explosion, as efforts to clear the site and ensure safety are ongoing.
