A large explosion at Bandar Abbas port in Iran left four dead and 500+ injured; investigation underway into blast of chemical storage
A devastating chemical explosion at Iran’s Bandar Abbas port leaves four dead and over 500 injured, triggering massive destruction and an urgent federal investigation.
In southern Iran’s Bandar Abbas, at Shahid Rajaei Port, a massive explosion led to the deaths of at least four people and more than 500 more injuries according to Iranian state media and emergency services.
The explosion sent thick, grey plumes of smoke billowing from the port complex’s Shahid Rajaei section. According to a video verified by CNN, the blast was likely linked to stored chemicals.
The head of Iran’s emergency services confirmed the deaths, while a spokesperson initially reported 516 injuries.
Surveillance footage distributed by Mehr News Agency captured the moment of the explosion, appearing to occur inside a warehouse. Other footage showed helicopters dropping water over the blaze.
The blast shattered windows of nearby offices and even collapsed the roof of at least one building.
Video footage showed people running for safety while others were apparently hurt in the street, and some reports said there were people pinned under rubble.
There continued to be a fire at the container terminal with large, black smoke plumes visible at the wharf.
State media reported that debris was scattered across a large area and that many port buildings sustained severe damage. Windows shattered across several kilometers, and some individuals became trapped under the rubble.
Mohammad Ashouri Taziani, the region’s governor, stated that the injured were being moved to medical centers in Bandar Abbas and that the fire was under control.
The port has been closed, and all maritime operations have been suspended, according to state media.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered an investigation into the cause of the incident. He announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the Interior Minister had been dispatched to examine the extent of the damage.
State broadcaster IRIB reported that the explosion occurred in the chemical and sulfur storage area of the port.
Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani stated that it would take some time to determine the exact cause. Preliminary findings suggest that containers stored in one corner of the port might have been at risk of explosion. However, the final cause will not be confirmed until the fire is fully extinguished.
The Shahid Rajaei Port is a significant container shipping facility, covering approximately 2400 hectares (about 5900 acres). It handles nearly 70 million tons of cargo throughput a year, composed of oil and general shipping, and has approximately 500,000 m² (5.4 million ft²) of warehouse space and 35 berths.
Witnesses reported that a fire broke out first, followed by an explosion that spread to containers, mainly filled with chemicals.
Emergency management officials said that the blast originated from containers stored in the port’s wharf area.
A global maritime risk firm, Ambrey Intelligence, stated that the fire was likely due to the improper handling of solid fuel meant for Iranian ballistic missiles.
The company added that, at the time of the incident, 12 commercial ships were located within a five-nautical-mile radius of the blast, with seven docked at the port.
A powerful explosion at Shahid Rajaei Port near the southern Iranian city of Bandar Abbas has left at least four people dead and injured 500 others.
All surrounding areas and the port itself experienced major devastation as a result of the blast, with investigations still ongoing.