Massive Blast at Iran’s Shahid Rajaee Port Injures Over 400

English , Middle East - مشرق وسطٰی , Snippets , / Saturday, April 26th, 2025

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A powerful explosion rocked the southern Iranian port of Shahid Rajaee on Saturday, leaving more than 400 people injured, according to updated reports from state media. Initial figures had cited at least 280 injured, but authorities have since revised the toll upward as rescue efforts continue.
State television, quoting local emergency services, confirmed that the injured have been transferred to nearby medical centers. Dramatic videos circulating on social media showed thick black smoke rising from the port and widespread damage, with glass shattered in buildings located kilometers away from the blast site.
The cause of the explosion remains unclear. Authorities have ruled out any link to the region’s energy infrastructure, which often faces risks due to aging facilities and international sanctions limiting access to parts. State TV stated the blast originated from containers at the port but did not elaborate further.
Mehrdad Hasanzadeh, a provincial disaster management official, told Iranian media that emergency teams are working to evacuate the affected area and reach those still trapped. He added that a building collapse had also occurred as a result of the explosion, though no additional details have been released.
The Shahid Rajaee Port, a critical hub for Iranian imports and exports near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, handles a significant portion of the country’s cargo traffic. Disruptions here could have broader economic consequences.
Authorities are continuing investigations to determine the exact cause of the blast. Meanwhile, rescue operations remain underway as the country reels from one of the largest industrial incidents in recent years.