A series of explosions at an Iranian port left at least 65 people dead and over 1,200 injured on Saturday. The casualty rate is likely to rise.
The blasts occurred at the Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas, 1,000 kilometres south of Tehran.
The first explosion happened at 12.10pm local time.
Mohammad Ashouri, the local governor, described the blast as “massive” while acknowledging that the cause remained unclear.
In an apparent attempt to downplay the impact of the blasts, the Islamic Republic’s state TV continued to claim on Saturday evening that the situation was in order, even as explosions could be heard in the background and a thick cloud of smoke rose from the scene.
The government has also warned the public and media not to spread “false information” about the explosion, saying it could disrupt rescue efforts and cause unnecessary panic.
Online footage showed long queues outside a medical centre, as people rushed to donate blood.
Local officials reported that the facility had previously received warnings about safety measures, though no details were provided about specific concerns.
The explosions originated from several containers at the port, which is Iran’s most technologically advanced shipping facility. Nearby buildings sustained severe damage, and authorities were currently evacuating the area.
Windows in residential buildings up to 25 kilometres from the port were shattered, and residents reported feeling tremors.
The port is just north of the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of global oil output passes.
The incident’s impact on shipping operations remains unclear.
Iran’s customs administration, in an urgent directive to all customs offices, announced a suspension of export and transit shipments to the port in Bandar Abbas until further notice.
[Photo: Screenshot/The Sun – CCTV of the explosion]