Hundreds injured in massive explosion in southern Iran

A powerful explosion rocked the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas on Saturday, sparking a major fire at the Shahid Rajaee port, according to state media.

According to Reuters, at least 281 people were injured in the explosion.

State television cited Esmaeil Malekizadeh, a senior official with the Hormozgan Ports and Maritime Administration, confirming that “the explosion occurred in a part of the Shahid Rajaee port dock, and we are extinguishing the fire.”

Mehrdad Hassanzadeh, head of the Hormozgan province’s crisis management authority, told state television that those injured in the incident had been transported to hospitals for treatment. However, he did not specify the number of casualties.

Footage shared across social media platforms captured a towering column of thick black smoke billowing from the port area. Additional videos appeared to show extensive damage to nearby buildings and vehicles, with several people inspecting the aftermath.

Shahid Rajaee port, located over 1,000km south of Tehran, is one of Iran’s key shipping hubs, primarily dealing with container operations. The port is also home to oil storage facilities and petrochemical infrastructure, raising concerns about the broader risks posed by the fire.

Authorities are continuing firefighting efforts as investigations into the cause of the explosion are underway.