Iran port explosion, death toll rises to 18, over 800 injured

MUSCAT: A massive explosion and fire at a major port in Iran has resulted in a significant loss of life, with the death toll rising to 18, and over 800 people injured.

The incident occurred on Saturday at the Sina container yard, part of the Shahid Rajaei port in Bandar Abbas, located in southern Iran.

The explosion and subsequent fire have caused widespread damage, with emergency services working to contain the blaze. Although the fire is reported to be under control, it has not been fully extinguished, and thick black smoke continues to emanate from the site.

According to authorities, the explosion was likely caused by the improper storage of chemicals in containers at the port. Hossein Zafari, a spokesperson for Iran’s crisis management organization, stated that warnings had been issued previously regarding the potential dangers of the storage practices.

The incident has raised concerns about safety and security at Iranian ports and industrial facilities, which have experienced a series of accidents and attacks in recent years.

While there is no clear indication of external involvement in the latest incident, Iran has previously blamed its adversary, Israel, for attacks on its infrastructure and nuclear program.

The Iranian government has assured that oil facilities were not affected by the blast, and investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the explosion.