At least 40 people were killed and around 1,000 others injured in a massive explosion on Saturday at Shahid Rajaee Port, located near Bandar Abbas in southern Iran’s Hormozgan province, according to reports from Al Jazeera.
In the aftermath of the blast, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, called for a comprehensive investigation, urging security and judicial authorities to examine any negligence or malicious intent behind the incident.
Khamenei’s message, broadcast on state television, stated, “Security and judicial officials are required to conduct a thorough investigation, uncover any negligence or malicious intent, and proceed in accordance with the law.”
President Masoud Pezeshkian visited survivors hospitalized after the blast on Sunday, expressing gratitude to first responders and assuring government assistance to the families of the victims and the injured.
Upon visiting the site, Pezeshkian said, “We are here to see firsthand if there is anything the government can assist with. We will ensure support for the families who lost loved ones, and we will also provide for those who have been injured.”
Iran has declared a national day of mourning for Monday in remembrance of the victims.
Shahid Rajaee Port is a major shipping facility, handling 70 million tons of cargo annually, including oil and general shipments.
Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni earlier confirmed that six people were still missing, as firefighters continued to battle the blaze, which was exacerbated by strong winds.
The cause of the explosion remains unclear. Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani stated that while the cause has not yet been definitively determined, initial findings suggest that containers stored in a corner of the port, potentially containing chemicals, may have exploded. However, she noted that it would take time to confirm this, as the fire has yet to be fully extinguished.
Authorities have declared a state of emergency in Bandar Abbas due to rising air pollution levels resulting from the explosion.
