Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — A massive explosion rocked Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas, Iran, on Saturday (April 27), killing at least 40 people and injuring thousands more.
The force of the explosion was so powerful that it was felt and heard up to 50 kilometers away. The blast also triggered a major fire that continued to burn for more than 24 hours, blanketing the surrounding area with thick smoke and causing severe air pollution.
The Governor of Hormozgan Province, Mohammad Ashouri Taziani states that the explosion and subsequent fire have led to casualties.
“with 40 people confirmed dead so far,” states Ashouri, on Monday (April 28), as reported by AFP.
Emergency teams are still working to control the fire and assess the full extent of the damage. Initial investigations suggest the explosion may have originated from a fire at a hazardous chemical storage facility.
A source linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the material involved was sodium perchlorate, a key component in solid rocket fuel. However, Defense Ministry spokesman Reza Talaei-Nik denied any military connection, stating, “There were no imports or exports of military fuel or materials in the area.”
The port was Iran’s largest container terminal and a key hub for imports and exports. Due to the incident, all operations on the port have been completely suspended. Authorities have also ordered the closure of all schools and government offices in Bandar Abbas due to the worsening air quality.
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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visited the disaster site on Monday to oversee response efforts and pledged government support for the victims’ families.
“We came to see firsthand whether there are any issues the government needs to address,” Pezeshkian said. “We are committed to caring for the families who lost loved ones and ensuring support for those injured.”
Saturday’s explosion incident adds to a growing list of industrial accidents in Iran, many of which have been attributed to negligence and poor safety standards. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani announced on the social media platform X that Monday would be observed as a national day of mourning in memory of the victims.
(Raidi/Agung)
