Lagatar24 Desk
Tehran: At least 25 people were killed and hundreds injured in a devastating blast that rocked Bandar Abbas, Iran’s strategic port city, on Saturday. The explosion occurred in the Shahid Rajaee section of the port, near the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global oil route.
What Triggered The Blast
According to officials, the probable cause of the explosion was the poor storage of chemicals in shipping containers.
“The cause of the explosion was the chemicals inside the containers,” said Hossein Zafari, spokesperson for Iran’s crisis management organisation, to ILNA news agency.
Warnings about the potential danger had been issued earlier during inspections, he added.
The customs office at the port further stated that a fire at the hazardous materials storage depot likely led to the chain of blasts. Several containers reportedly exploded, amplifying the scale of destruction.
A person linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps told the New York Times that sodium perchlorate, a chemical used in missile fuel, might have been involved.
Government Response And Investigation
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian swiftly ordered a high-level probe into the incident, dispatching Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni to the site. Momeni assured that the situation had stabilized and loading operations at the port had resumed.
Visuals From The Aftermath
State television aired visuals showing a massive black-and-orange smoke cloud rising above the port, with buildings severely damaged and debris scattered across the area.
The Fars news agency reported that the blast was so powerful it was felt up to 50 kilometres away.
Strategic Importance Of Shahid Rajaee Port
Handling a majority of Iran’s container traffic, the Shahid Rajaee Port is critical to the country’s trade. Any disruption here impacts not just Iran but global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Pattern Of Deadly Incidents
Saturday’s blast is part of a disturbing trend of accidents in Iran’s industrial infrastructure, often attributed to negligence.
Previous incidents include refinery fires, mining accidents, and cyberattacks. Iran has blamed some past attacks, including a 2020 cyberattack on Shahid Rajaee, on Israel.
Tensions have been high with the backdrop of US-Iran nuclear talks resuming, prompting speculation over external sabotage. However, no direct link to this blast has been confirmed.
