Iran (IMNA) - In a statement on Sunday, government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani announced the national day of mourning after the tragic incident, which resulted in significant casualties and damage.
President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Bandar Abbas, the capital of Hormozgan province, on Sunday afternoon to oversee rescue operations and receive updates on the situation following the previous day's explosion. He also visited some of the injured being treated in local hospitals.
Authorities have declared three days of mourning in Hormozgan province, where Bandar Abbas is located. The explosion at Shahid Rajaei Port, Iran’s largest and most modern port, has so far resulted in at least 28 confirmed deaths and over 1,000 injuries, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society. Of the injured, 240 have been hospitalized in Hormozgan province and 7 in Shiraz, Fars province.
The blast, which officials attribute to poor storage of chemicals in containers at the port, triggered a large fire and widespread destruction. The fire was brought under control by Sunday afternoon, and port operations had resumed shortly after the incident. The explosion was so powerful it was felt up to 50 kilometers away and caused windows to shatter within several kilometers of the site.
While the Red Crescent initially reported 28 fatalities and over 1,000 injuries, Hormozgan’s governor later stated that the death toll had risen to 40, with more than 900 injured. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, though officials have confirmed it originated from hazardous chemical materials stored in containers.
The Shahid Rajaei Port is a vital hub for Iran’s imports and exports, situated near the strategic Strait of Hormuz through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply passes.
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