Horrific Explosion at Iranian Port Kills 70 People: Preliminary Cause Revealed

Severe Casualty Situation

As of April 28, the massive explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas, Iran has claimed the lives of at least 70 people and injured another 1,200, according to Iranian media reports cited by Reuters. The number of casualties continues to rise as rescue and firefighting efforts are still underway.

Incident Timeline and Rescue Efforts

The explosion occurred on April 26, reportedly triggered by the detonation of a fuel-carrying vessel, which sent shockwaves throughout the entire port area. Fires continued to erupt due to strong winds and the highly flammable goods stored in nearby containers. Several containers also released toxic gases, posing significant dangers to rescue teams and nearby residents.

Mohammad Ashouri Taziani, Governor of Hormozgan Province, where the port is located, stated, “Removing the damaged containers may take up to two weeks due to the extensive destruction.”

Preliminary Investigation and Suspected Causes

According to an initial report from the investigation committee, the disaster was primarily caused by non-compliance with safety and civil defense regulations. Twenty-two people are still missing, and 22 bodies have yet to be identified.

Iran’s Interior Minister, Eskandar Momeni, announced that national-level firefighting efforts have concluded and that operations have been transferred to local authorities. He also confirmed that several individuals have been summoned in connection with the violation of safety protocols.

Meanwhile, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered a comprehensive investigation to determine whether negligence or intentional sabotage was involved in the explosion.

Iranian emergency services continue efforts to suppress lingering fires at Shahid Rajaee Port – Photo: REUTERS

Cyberattack Suspicions and Foreign Sabotage Allegations

Some Iranian media outlets have suggested the explosion may have been the result of foreign sabotage, especially as it coincided with ongoing nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States. Around the same time, Iran reported that it had repelled a major cyberattack targeting its infrastructure, though no further details were disclosed.

Defense Ministry Denies Involvement of Military Fuel

Amid speculation in international media that the blast was linked to improper handling of solid rocket fuel, the Iranian Ministry of Defense has categorically denied such claims. However, a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) indicated that sodium perchlorate—a chemical compound used in missile production—may have been involved in the explosion.

Ongoing Cleanup and Government Response

Cleanup and damage control operations are currently underway and are expected to take at least 20 days. Schools and office buildings near the port have been temporarily closed to ensure public safety.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian personally visited injured victims in the hospital and pledged full transparency and accountability once the final investigation report is released.

The explosion caused widespread destruction and could be heard nearly 30 kilometers away – Photo: REUTERS