The disastrous fire at Iran’s largest commercial port that took the lives of 70 and injured over 1,000 people has finally been extinguished after 2 days.
The explosion occurred at Shahid Rajaee port near Bandar Abbas on April 26, 2025, causing large-scale destruction.
The Iranian Interior Minister, Eskandar Momeni, confirmed on April 28 that the fires were fully under control. According to provincial emergency health officials, only around 120 injured remain in the hospital.
Satellite imagery analysed by Associated Press revealed two large craters, each roughly 50 meters wide, alongside widespread damage to nearby buildings and containers.
The explosion ripped through a depot area at the port, destroying a building and heavily damaging another.
Smoke and flames persisted for two days, while firefighters and helicopters battled the blaze.
Iranian Red Crescent footage showed dark smoke continuing to rise even as firefighting operations were underway.
Per reports from the port’s customs office, the explosion may have been caused by a fire in a depot storing hazardous chemical materials.
State media reported that the blast was the result of “negligence” and “noncompliance with safety protocpols.”
Momeni stated that those responsible had been identified and summoned for questioning.
Social media videos showed reddish smoke rising before the explosion, a sign that chemicals could have been involved, similar to the 2020 Beirut Port disaster.
While authorities have denied that missile fuel was stored at the site, no official explanation for the blast has yet been provided.
Authorities closed schools and offices in the area, urged residents to stay indoors, and declared Monday a national day of mourning. Hormozgan province began three days of mourning starting Sunday.
Iran has denied claims that the incident involved military materials, while investigations continue under the orders of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
References: aljazeera, abcnews
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