In the port city of Bandar Abbas, Iran, a violent explosion and fire erupted on Saturday. The number of injured individuals has now reached 516, as reported by the spokesperson for Iran's National Emergency Services, Babak Yaghtapour. However, no official deaths have been confirmed even three hours after the explosion. Meanwhile, Provincial Disaster Management Officer Mehrdad Hasan Zadeh reported that the explosion was quite frightening, with injuries climbing to 516. Many victims have been admitted to hospitals across Hormozgan Province.
According to Hasan Zadeh, the explosion was caused by containers at Rajaei Port. Rescue and relief teams are trying to reach the site, while other teams are engaged in evacuating the area.
According to the Associated Press, videos of the incident are going viral on social media. The videos show a massive plume of smoke rising into the sky. Rajaei Port primarily oversees container traffic, along with oil tanks and petrochemical units, which present an ongoing threat of fire severity.
Watch the Explosion VIDEO Here...
Ban Imposed on Export and Transit Shipments
According to Iranian media, the Iranian Customs Authority has ordered all customs offices to halt sending export and transit shipments to the port immediately after the blast. This ban will remain in effect until further notice. However, trucks that have already completed customs procedures have been allowed to leave the port area.
Source: aajtak
Victims Hospitalized
Meanwhile, the head of Iran's National Emergency Service, Yaghtapour, informed that individuals injured in the port explosion have been hospitalized at various medical facilities. This severe blast on Saturday not only disrupted port activities but also significantly impacted regional trade and supply chains.
Watch the Explosion VIDEO Here...
Warning Against Rumor Mongers
Tasnim News Agency of Iran dismissed reports claiming the explosion occurred near the IRGC naval base in Bandar Abbas. The news agency stated that such rumors are spread with the intent of stirring public emotions, and officials have warned action against those propagating rumors.
Sulfur-Like Odor Detected at the Site
Witnesses reported a small fire in the container terminal area before the port explosion. Eyewitnesses mentioned that the fire spread rapidly, leading to a severe blast due to flammable materials. While local reports have yet to determine the exact cause of the fire, initial findings point to the presence of flammable substances. A sharp sulfur-like odor was detected at the explosion site.
