Hundreds Injured as Huge Explosion Rocks Iranian Port

At least 500 people have been injured after a massive explosion tore through Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas, Iran, early Saturday, according to state media.

The blast — so intense it shattered windows and rocked buildings kilometers away — is being blamed on multiple cargo containers bursting into flames. Thick, dark smoke continues to pour over the southern port city as emergency teams battle the raging fire and rush to evacuate the injured.

"The source of this incident was the explosion of several containers stored in the Shahid Rajaee Port wharf area," a crisis management official told state TV.

The port, a major hub that processes around 72.5 million tonnes of goods annually, was left in chaos. Footage from Iranian news agencies showed injured workers lying along the roadsides, covered in dust and debris, as first responders scrambled to transfer them to nearby hospitals.

Authorities have not yet confirmed any deaths, but video clips captured scenes of semi-collapsed buildings, twisted metal, and streets filled with broken glass. Witnesses say the explosion was so loud it was heard as far as Qeshm Island — located 26 kilometers away across the Persian Gulf.

While initial investigations point toward "negligence in handling flammable materials" as a major factor, officials have ruled out any damage to Iran's oil infrastructure.
The National Iranian Petroleum Refining and Distribution Company emphasized:

"The explosion and fire in Shahid Rajaee Port have no connection to refineries, fuel tanks, distribution complexes and oil pipelines related to this company."

At the time of writing, fire crews were still working to control the flames, and evacuation of nearby trucks and facilities carrying hazardous chemicals was ongoing.

Industrial accidents aren't rare in Iran, especially given the aging equipment and parts shortages caused by sanctions. However, this latest disaster highlights growing concerns over port safety protocols and cargo management.

Join our FREE WhatsApp channel to dive into a world of real-time engagement! 

This article was previously published on kuwaitmoments. To see the original article, click here