Explosion at Iran’s Shahid Rajaee Port Kills 14, Injures 750; State of Emergency Declared

Tehran, April 27, 2025: At least 14 people were killed and around 750 others injured after a massive explosion rocked the Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas, Iran, according to official Iranian media reports cited by CNN.

Thick grey smoke billowed over the port complex as emergency teams battled the blaze, struggling against strong winds. Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni confirmed that six people were still missing, while efforts to control the fire continued.

Authorities suspect that the explosion was linked to chemicals stored at the port. Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani stated that the cause would take time to determine, but initial findings suggested that containers holding chemicals may have exploded. She added that until the fire is fully extinguished, the exact cause remains uncertain.

Following the blast, Iranian authorities declared a state of emergency in Bandar Abbas due to soaring air pollution levels. The Ministry of Health has deployed emergency teams and urged citizens to stay indoors, close windows, and avoid outdoor activities to safeguard public health.

Debris from the explosion scattered across a wide area, causing extensive damage to buildings within the port and shattering windows several kilometers away. Reports indicated that some individuals were trapped under the rubble. Injured victims have been shifted to medical centers in Bandar Abbas, according to regional governor Mohammad Ashouri Taziani.

Operations at the Shahid Rajaee port, a crucial hub handling 70 million tons of cargo annually, have been suspended. State broadcaster IRIB reported that the explosion occurred in the chemical and sulfur storage area of the port.

President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered an investigation into the incident. In a post on X, he expressed sorrow over the tragedy and announced that the Interior Minister has been dispatched to the site to oversee rescue operations and determine the cause of the disaster.