Iran Port Explosion Toll Reaches 40, 1K Injured

The devastating explosion at a port in Iran’s southern province of Hormozgan has claimed the lives of 40 people, with over 1,000 others injured, according to reports from Iran’s IRIB news agency.

The explosion, which occurred on April 26, also left a large fire in its wake, further complicating the emergency response efforts. The Iranian government has declared Monday national day of mourning to honour the victims.

Hormozgan’s Governor Mohammad Ashouri Taziani confirmed that among the injured, 197 individuals have been hospitalized, while many others received medical treatment for less severe injuries.

The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, though officials have not ruled out the possibility of flammable materials within the port contributing to the intensity of the blast.

Iran’s government Spokeswoman, Fatemeh Mohajerani, shared the national mourning declaration on social media, offering condolences to the families affected by the tragic event.

President Masoud Pezeshkian visited the site on Sunday to assess the damage and meet with some of the injured, offering support in the wake of the disaster.

According to Hossein Sajedinia, head of the National Disaster Management Organization, firefighting teams from five provinces have been mobilized to tackle the fire.

While the blaze initially threatened to spread rapidly due to the presence of combustible materials like pitch and chemicals in the containers, authorities are optimistic that the fire will be contained within hours.

Footage from closed-circuit cameras at the scene shows a small fire starting near several containers before expanding and causing the massive explosion just 90 seconds later, according to Governor Taziani.

Despite the significant damage caused by the explosion, the port’s wharfs have resumed operations, and cargo handling activities have resumed, as reported by Iran's official news agency IRNA.

The explosion at the port has shocked the nation, and ongoing investigations will determine whether the incident was an accident or the result of some external factor. The Iranian government continues to monitor the situation closely and has urged citizens to stay updated through official channels.

 (with inputs from IANS)

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