At least 14 people were killed and around 750 others injured following a massive explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port in Iran’s Bandar Abbas, official Iranian media reported, according to CNN.
A towering plume of thick, grey smoke was seen rising from the port complex, as firefighters battled the flames amid high winds. Iran’s government indicated that the blast likely involved stored chemicals, though the exact cause remains unknown.
Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni confirmed that six people are still missing as rescue efforts continue. Speaking to the media, government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said initial assessments point to a chemical explosion but stressed that a full investigation would take time. “Until the fire is extinguished, it’s hard to ascertain the cause,” she noted.
Authorities have declared a state of emergency in Bandar Abbas, warning residents to stay indoors and avoid outdoor activities due to a sharp rise in air pollution. Emergency health teams have been deployed to the area to assist citizens, CNN reported.
The powerful explosion caused extensive damage across the port complex, scattering debris and shattering windows several kilometres away. Reports also indicated that several people were trapped under rubble after parts of the facility were reduced to ruins. Injured victims have been rushed to medical centres across Bandar Abbas, according to regional governor Mohammad Ashouri Taziani.
The Shahid Rajaee port, a major hub handling about 70 million tons of cargo annually, has suspended maritime operations following the blast. State broadcaster IRIB confirmed the explosion occurred in the port’s chemical and sulfur storage area.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident. In a post on X, Pezeshkian expressed his condolences and announced that the Interior Minister had been dispatched to oversee relief efforts and probe the cause of the disaster. “While expressing deep regret and sympathy for the victims, I have ordered a full investigation to address the dimensions of this incident and ensure necessary assistance to the injured,” he said.
