"Started by Container Explosion... Cause Unknown"
On April 26 (local time), a large explosion occurred at the port in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas, injuring at least 50 people, according to reports from AP and other foreign media outlets. The incident took place on the same day that Iran began its third round of nuclear negotiations with the United States in Oman.
According to foreign media, local authorities told Iranian state television that the explosion was caused by several containers detonating at Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas.
On social media, photos were posted showing shattered windows in buildings several kilometers away from the port and a mushroom cloud forming after the blast.
Local media initially reported the number of injured as 47, but subsequent reports indicated that the figure was rapidly rising to 280.
There are also concerns that, given the number of port employees, the human toll could be much higher.
A local official told Iranian state television that the incident began when several containers at Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas exploded.
Tasnim, Iran's semi-official news agency, reported that the accident was caused by a fuel tank explosion. However, the National Iranian Oil Company issued a statement saying that the explosion did not originate from any oil facilities or operations. The company also stated that nearby oil plants, tanks, and pipelines were unaffected and remained in normal operation.
Shahid Rajaee Port is one of Iran's major container shipping facilities, handling approximately 80 million tons of cargo annually. It also houses numerous oil tanks and other chemical facilities.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
