A major explosion and fire broke out on Saturday at Rajaei port near Bandar Abbas in southern Iran, leaving at least four people dead and more than 500 others injured.
The port, which plays a major role in Iran’s cargo traffic, became the center of a fast-moving emergency as thick black smoke filled the sky.
The explosion happened at one of Iran’s most important shipping hubs, which handles around 80 million tons of goods every year. Initial reports from Iran’s National Emergency Organization listed 281 injuries, but updated figures later pushed that number to over 500. Emergency services rushed to the site as dark smoke could be seen rising from kilometers away.
Social media posts captured scenes of chaos, with shattered windows and damaged buildings far from the blast site. The full cause of the explosion has not been officially confirmed yet. However, Iranian officials said that energy infrastructure in the area was not harmed, easing fears of wider damage.
Authorities pointed to shipping containers at Rajaei port as the source of the explosion. A provincial disaster management official said emergency workers were facing difficulties reaching parts of the site, and efforts were underway to evacuate those still inside. Reports also mentioned a building collapse linked to the blast, though no detailed information has been released.
Rajaei port sits on the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global oil shipments, about 1,050 kilometers southeast of Tehran. The port’s location highlights the potential risks if accidents affect trade routes in the Persian Gulf.
The incident came at a sensitive time, as Iran and the United States were holding talks in Oman over Iran’s nuclear program. While no connection has been made between the negotiations and the blast, the timing added to the tense atmosphere surrounding the event.
Industrial accidents are not new in Iran, where aging facilities and restrictions on importing parts due to sanctions have led to frequent problems. Saturday’s explosion stands out as one of the most serious in recent years, leaving many injured and a community scrambling to recover.