Massive explosion at Iranian port leaves 4 dead, over 500 injured

A massive explosion rocked the port of Bandar Abbas in southwestern Iran, killing four people and injuring more than 500, according to official Iranian media and emergency services.

The blast, which sent a thick plume of gray smoke rising from the Shahid Rajaee section of the port complex, is believed to have been caused by chemicals stored at the site.

The head of Iran’s emergency services confirmed the death toll, while a spokesperson reported 516 injuries. Surveillance footage distributed by the Mehr news agency captured the explosion, which appeared to occur inside a warehouse. Other videos showed helicopters battling the fire that broke out as a result of the blast.

State media reported shattered windows several kilometers from the site and noted that some people may be trapped under rubble.

Regional governor Mohammad Ashouri Taziani said the injured were being transported to medical centers in Bandar Abbas and that the fire had been contained. The port has been closed and all maritime operations suspended.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered an investigation and dispatched the interior minister to the site to assess the situation. On social media, President Pezeshkian pledged a thorough examination of the incident.

State broadcaster IRIB reported that the explosion occurred in the port’s chemical and sulfur storage area. Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said that while the fire must be fully extinguished before final conclusions are drawn, preliminary assessments suggest that containers filled with chemicals likely caused the explosion.

The Shahid Rajaee port is one of Iran’s largest container terminals, covering 2,400 hectares and handling around 70 million tons of cargo annually. The facility includes extensive warehouse space and 35 shipping berths.