Massive Explosion at Iran’s Largest Commercial Port Leaves at Least 40 Dead, 1,000 Injured | WPN World People News

A massive explosion and fire broke out at Shahid Rajaee Port in southern Iran on the 26th, leaving at least 40 people dead and over 1,000 injured. Officials from Hormozgan Province stated that the fire is still ongoing, with thick smoke engulfing the affected area, which lies approximately 23 kilometers from the provincial capital, Bandar Abbas. In response to the emergency, all local schools and offices have been closed to concentrate resources on rescue efforts.

The cause of the explosion remains unclear. According to The New York Times, the incident may have been triggered by an explosion of sodium perchlorate, a key ingredient in solid rocket fuel; however, Iran’s Ministry of Defense has denied any involvement of military fuel or materials. Port customs officials indicated that the fire may have originated from a warehouse storing hazardous chemicals. Located more than 1,000 kilometers south of Tehran, Shahid Rajaee Port is Iran’s most advanced container port and lies near the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route through which one-fifth of the world's oil supply is transported.

On the 27th, Iranian President Pezeshkian arrived in Bandar Abbas to visit rescue workers and the injured, pledging full support for the victims and their families. He has ordered an investigation into the cause of the explosion. Russia has dispatched firefighting experts and specialized aircraft to assist in controlling the blaze and minimizing damages.