TEHRAN – At least four people were killed and 500 injured in a massive explosion at Shahid Rajae Port in southern Hormozgan province around 12:30pm local time on Saturday, according to the Red Crescent Association.
The strategically important port is approximately 15 km southwest of Bandar Abbas Port on the north shore of the Strait of Hormuz.
The exact cause of the explosion is not yet known. However, government spokeswoman Fateme Mohajelani said several containers that were stored in the port and containing chemicals probably exploded.
The injured were moved to Hormozgan Hospital. Minister of Home Affairs Eskandar Momeni and Head of Red Crescent Society Pirhossein Kolivand went to Bandar Abbas.
After the explosion, a rapid response team of 20 people and five helicopters were sent to the scene.
Emergency business centres are on alert and the process and operational team actions that provide relief to victims are monitored in real time.
Medical centers in Hormozgan, Fars and Carman are fully prepared to receive injured people. Some medical centres in Tehran have announced they are ready to accept injured people if necessary.
The first report shows that the blast occurred in the management buildings within the port complex. The explosion was so intense that it completely destroyed the building and severely damaged many vehicles, the press reported.
Following the incident, all port operations were suspended as security and emergency teams worked to secure the area. Authorities quickly declared an emergency at the hospital in Bandar Abbas, in preparation for the possibility of a mass casualty.
The National Iranian oil refinery and distribution company has also announced that the explosion has nothing to do with refineries, fuel tanks, distribution centres or oil pipelines associated with this company in the region, and that the facility in Bandar Abbas is currently operating uninterrupted.
President Masuud Pezeschian expressed deep sadness over the incident and offered sympathy to the victims’ families.
Vice President Mohammad-Reza AREF ordered an immediate and comprehensive investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident and the extent of the damage.