Bandar Abbas: A powerful explosion rocked the Shahid Rajaee port in the southern city of Bandar Abbas on Saturday, resulting in at least four fatalities and injuring over 500 people, local authorities confirmed.
The blast, which struck offices within the port complex, was so forceful that tremors were felt across nearby cities. Windows shattered in buildings located several kilometers from the site of the explosion, witnesses reported.
State media said at least 516 individuals sustained injuries, and footage showed hospitals quickly becoming overwhelmed as ambulances delivered a continuous flow of patients. Medical teams were seen rushing to assist the injured, some of whom were carried in on stretchers.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, according to the head of crisis management for Hormozgan province, which oversees Bandar Abbas. The Hormozgan Ports Authority stated that the blast occurred on a section of the port's quay, with firefighting crews still battling the resulting fire.
Social media footage captured massive plumes of black smoke rising from the port, alongside images of widespread damage to nearby buildings.
Shahid Rajaee port is one of Iran’s largest shipping hubs, handling around 72.5 million metric tons of cargo annually.
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