A catastrophic explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas, southwestern Iran, has resulted in the deaths of at least 14 individuals and injuries to around 750 others, as reported by Iranian state media referencing the country’s interior ministry. The explosion generated a massive cloud of thick grey smoke, raising concerns of chemical involvement, as indicated by official sources.
Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni reported that six individuals are still unaccounted for as firefighting efforts continue, hampered by high winds. The precise cause of the explosion has yet to be determined, but evidence suggests that it may have originated from a storage area containing chemicals. Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani stated that investigations would take time and that many factors would need to be examined only after the fire is fully extinguished.
In light of the disaster, authorities in Bandar Abbas have declared a state of emergency due to increasing air pollution resulting from the explosion. The Ministry of Health has mobilised emergency health teams and is urging residents to remain indoors, avoid outside activities, and secure their windows to minimise exposure to smoke and pollutants.
Videos from the scene captured the moment of the explosion, which appears to have happened in a warehouse dedicated to chemicals. Footage also showed helicopters conducting water drops to combat the fire ignited by the blast. The radius of destruction was considerable, with debris scattered widely and buildings within the port complex suffering significant damage. Reports emerged of people potentially trapped under the rubble of collapsed structures.
Governor Mohammad Ashouri Taziani confirmed that the injured were being transferred to local medical facilities, while state media indicated that the port is closed and maritime operations have been suspended. President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered an inquiry into the incident, with the interior minister dispatched to assess the situation.
State broadcaster IRIB reported that the explosion occurred in the chemical and sulphur zone of the port. The event has reverberated throughout the nation, with many Iranians lining up at health centres to donate blood for the wounded.
The Shahid Rajaee port is a major container shipping facility, spanning 2,400 hectares and managing approximately 70 million tonnes of cargo annually, including oil and general shipments. It houses nearly 500,000 square metres of warehousing and 35 shipping berths, highlighting its importance to the region’s economy and infrastructure.