Large Chemical Explosion Rocks Shahid Rajaee Port near Bandar Abbas in Iran
Today, a large explosion occurred at Shahid Rajaee Port near Bandar Abbas, southern Iran. So far, 516 people have been injured as a result of the blast, Iranian state media reported.
According to Iranian media, the explosion was the result of an accidental fire in depots containing highly flammable chemical materials, such as ammonium nitrate, used as fertilizer. The material was likely improperly stored. The incident occurred at a critical time, as Iran and the United States began the third round of nuclear talks in Oman.
It is highly likely that the explosion originated from a depot of dangerous goods and chemicals located in the port area.
Student News Network, an Iranian reformist outlet.
Reportedly, the oil facilities near the affected area are safe, this is also confirmed by The National Iranian Petroleum Refining and Distribution Company which released an official statement saying:
The explosion and fire in Shahid Rajaee Port have no connection to refineries, fuel tanks, distribution complexes and oil pipelines related to this company.
The National Iranian Petroleum Refining and Distribution Company
The above video, recorded by a port worker, shows the initial moment of the explosion. Orange mist can be seen, a tell-tale indicator of the presence of ammonium nitrate.
Recovery efforts are still ongoing, with numerous reports confirming that many people remain trapped in the blast area. Fars News Agency reported injured individuals lying on the road while medical crews tended to them. Additionally, Fars News Agency reported that the shockwave caused by the explosion was so powerful that it could be heard up to 26 kilometres away, including on Qeshm Island, located south of Bandar Abbas.
The explosion is similar in nature to the 2020 Beirut port explosion, and likely occured in two stages: an initial spark that caused a fire, with ammonium nitrate slowly burning, and then the main explosion.