At least 8 killed, 700 injured in explosion at port in Iran's Bandar Abbas

Tehran (Web Desk): A powerful explosion rocked the Shahid Rajaee Port in southern Iran during the early hours of Saturday, killing at least eight people, leaving over 500 people injured and prompting an immediate emergency response, the state media reported.

The blast occurred around 12:30am local time in Hormozgan province, near the strategic port city of Bandar Abbas, on the northern edge of the Strait of Hormuz.

Witnesses described a massive fire and thick plumes of black smoke rising from the port area, visible from several kilometers away.

Local media reported that the explosion likely originated from containers on the dock, possibly holding flammable or hazardous materials, although officials have not confirmed the exact cause.

The shockwave from the explosion shattered windows and caused structural damage in nearby buildings, and in at least one case, led to a collapse. Some reports stated the blast was so intense it was heard as far away as Qeshm Island, roughly 26 kilometers south of the port.

Emergency crews, including rapid response units and the Red Crescent, rushed to the scene, evacuating injured individuals and transporting them to surrounding medical facilities.

By Saturday afternoon, Iranian state media confirmed that at least 516 people had sustained injuries, though no fatalities had been officially announced at that point.

In response to the crisis, authorities temporarily suspended port operations to allow emergency teams to work safely. Firefighters continued battling the blaze throughout the morning as officials launched an investigation into the incident.

Early suggestions from sources like the semi-official Tasnim News Agency pointed to a potential fuel tank explosion, but there has been no definitive conclusion yet.

Despite the scale of the blast, Iran’s National Petroleum Refining and Distribution Company reassured the public that critical infrastructure, including refineries, pipelines, and fuel storage facilities, remained untouched.

Shahid Rajaee Port plays a vital role in Iran’s economy, handling approximately 80 million tons of cargo annually and acting as a key gateway for maritime trade.

Given its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping lanes, the explosion has raised concerns about regional stability and port security.

Authorities continue their investigation as efforts to fully extinguish the fire and assess the damage persist.