Tehran: At least 312 people were injured in a major explosion at Rajai Port in Bandar Abbas city, Iran. All the injured have been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The explosion caused widespread panic in the area. Thick black smoke could be seen rising from the site and debris was scattered across a large area. The cause of the explosion has not yet been confirmed officially.
Impact of explosion
According to initial information from local crisis management authorities, the explosion was linked to multiple containers kept in the Shahid Rajai Port area. The impact of the blast was strong enough to shatter windows of buildings several kilometers away. Witnesses also reported seeing a mushroom-shaped cloud form in the sky shortly after the blast.
Videos and pictures shared on social media showed the extent of the damage, with plumes of black smoke and damaged structures clearly visible.
No damage to energy facilities
In a statement, the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company said that energy installations at Bandar Abbas were not affected by the explosion. Operations are continuing normally at the port’s oil and petrochemical facilities. This has come as a relief, considering Bandar Abbas is one of Iran’s major ports with important oil tanks and energy infrastructure.
Rajai Port mainly handles container shipments but is also home to oil storage tanks and petrochemical plants. This incident has raised concerns about safety measures in place at the port, especially given its critical importance.
Authorities began an investigation to find out the exact cause of the explosion. As of now, there is no confirmation of foul play or an external attack.
Background of Rajai Port
Rajai Port has seen trouble in the past. In 2020, a cyberattack disrupted operations at the port, and some reports at that time suggested involvement by foreign actors, including Israel. However, there is no evidence yet linking the current explosion to any similar activity.
