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Port of Shahid Rajaee explosion

Coordinates: 27°7′27″N 56°4′3″E / 27.12417°N 56.06750°E / 27.12417; 56.06750
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Port of Shahid Rajaee explosion
Smoke billowing after the explosion
Date26 April 2025 (2025-04-26)
Time12:20 IRST (UTC+03:30)
LocationPort of Shahid Rajaee, Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan, Iran
Coordinates27°7′27″N 56°4′3″E / 27.12417°N 56.06750°E / 27.12417; 56.06750
TypeGas substances explosion
CauseFire
Deaths70
Non-fatal injuries1,242

On 26 April 2025, an explosion and fire occurred at the Port of Shahid Rajaee near Bandar Abbas in southern Iran, killing at least 70 people and injuring over 1,200 others,[1] according to state media reports. The blast, at around 12:20 Iran Standard Time, originated from several containers in the port's wharf area, possibly containing ammonium perchlorate, a chemical used in rocket fuel. The explosion occurred amid the Iran–US negotiations for Iran's nuclear program, with the Iranian foreign minister saying that security was on high alert.

Background

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The Port of Shahid Rajaee is Iran's largest commercial port and maritime hub,[2] handling approximately 80 million tons of goods annually.[3] Located on the north shores of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, it serves as a critical hub for the country's maritime trade.[4] The port is approximately 23 kilometres (14 miles) west of Bandar Abbas and is adjacent to facilities operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).[5][6]

The explosion occurred as the Iran–US negotiations were held in Oman with the aim of reaching an agreement regarding Iran’s nuclear program. Before the meetings began, Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said that "our security services are on high alert given past instances of attempted sabotage and assassination operations designed to provoke a legitimate response".[7]

Explosion and immediate impact

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NASA's FIRMS detected the fire on April 26 2025 at 17:07 (UTC)
Damage caused by the fires
Damage caused by the fires

On April 26 2025, at approximately 12:10 Iran Standard Time (IRST),[3] an increasingly intense fire that contained reddish-hued smoke[8] led to a large explosion in the Sina container yard within the port.[9] The blast originated from several containers and produced a large fire and a plume of black smoke visible for kilometers.[10] The shockwave shattered windows and caused structural damage to buildings several kilometers away. At least one building collapsed due to the blast. The explosion was reportedly heard as far as Qeshm Island, 26 kilometers (16 miles) south of Bandar Abbas,[11][12][7] and was felt at a distance of 50 kilometres (31 mi) from the site.[13]

Casualties and emergency response

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At least 70 people were killed in the explosion while 1,210 others were injured, 138 of them seriously.[14] The Chinese consulate in Bandar Abbas said three Chinese nationals were among the injured.[15] Emergency services, including the Iranian Red Crescent Society, dispatched rapid response teams to the scene. Injured individuals were evacuated and transported to nearby medical facilities[7][5] and as far as Shiraz.[16] Firefighting efforts were undertaken to control and extinguish the blaze using helicopters to pour water onto the fire from above. Port operations were suspended temporarily to facilitate emergency response activities.[7][5] Schools and offices in the area were ordered closed on 27 April,[2] while the health ministry advised residents not to go outside "until further notice" and to use protective masks. Russia sent a firefighting aircraft and personnel to help extinguish the fire.[15] By 27 April, only 190 of the injured were still being treated in the hospital.[8] The fires were declared contained on 28 April.[17]

On 27 April, Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian visited Bandar Abbas and met with emergency personnel and victims of the disaster.[15] The governor of Hormozgan, Mohammad Ashouri, declared three days of mourning for the victims,[8] while a national day of mourning was declared on 28 April.[18]

  • Medical staff standing by an ambulance while patients are being put in it
    Wounded survivors being picked up by ambulances
  • Firefighting at the scene
    Firefighting at the scene
  • Victims of the incident in hospital
    Victims of the incident in hospital

Investigation

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Authorities launched an investigation into the cause of the explosion. Preliminary assessments suggested that negligence in handling flammable materials may have contributed to the incident. The National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company stated that the explosion was not related to its infrastructure, including refineries, fuel tanks, distribution complexes, or oil pipelines.[7][11][19] A government spokeswoman, Fatemeh Mohajerani, said: "containers were stored in a corner of the port that likely contained chemicals which exploded. But until the fire is extinguished, it's hard to ascertain the cause."[20]

One analyst compared the blast to the 2020 Beirut explosion stating that it is consistent with an ignition and explosion of sodium perchlorate (used to make rocket fuel) or ammonium nitrate (used as fertilizer). The explosion has also been linked to a shipment of ammonium perchlorate, a chemical used in rocket fuel.[21] A named maritime risk consultancy firm believed the explosion was caused by improper handling of ammonium perchlorate. The port received a shipment of ammonium perchlorate in March from China to replenish Iran's stock for producing missiles.[7][9][22]

Without naming specific chemicals, Iranian authorities stated on 27 April 2025 that the explosion was caused by "hazardous goods and chemical materials" stored in the port.[19] A spokesperson for the Iranian defense ministry, Reza Talaei-Nik, denied that missile fuel had been transported via the site, without providing a possible cause of the explosion.[8]

On 28 April 2025, Iran's Interior Minister, Eskandar Momeni, announced that the explosion was caused by negligence and non-compliance with safety measures. He stated that some individuals have been identified and summoned in connection with the incident, highlighting shortcomings in adhering to safety precautions and passive defense protocols. Momeni emphasized that the hazardous materials involved should have been dispersed to prevent such a disaster.[23]

Economic impact

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Shahid Rajaee Port is Iran's largest maritime hub, handling approximately 80 million tons of goods annually and accounting for 85–90% of the country's container traffic, as well as 55% of Iran's total trade. It is also the 44th largest port in the world based on its handling capacity. The explosion led to the suspension of all imports and exports through the port.[24] This disruption halted a substantial portion of Iran's trade activities, impacting revenue streams and the supply chain for essential goods.[24][7] Despite the magnitude of the explosion, Iran's oil infrastructure, including refineries and pipelines in the vicinity, remained operational. The port's closure may impede the export of oil and related products, which are critical for Iran's economy and foreign currency earnings.[24][25]

Reactions

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Messages were sent by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates,[26] as well as India, Pakistan, Russia, Turkey, and the United Nations.[27]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Fires extinguished at key Iran port as explosion death toll rises to 70". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  2. ^ a b Mao, Frances (27 April 2025). "Huge blast at key Iranian port kills 25 and injures 800". BBC. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  3. ^ a b Christou, William (26 April 2025). "Huge explosion in Iranian port wounds at least 516 people". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  4. ^ Abdulrahim, Raja (27 April 2025). "Iran Port Explosion's Death Toll Rises". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 28 April 2025. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  5. ^ a b c "At least 280 injured after 'massive' blast at southern Iran port". Daily Sabah. 26 April 2025. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  6. ^ "Nearly 281 injured in massive blast in south Iran port". Onmanorama. 26 April 2025. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g "A massive explosion at an Iranian port linked to missile fuel shipment kills 8, injures around 750". AP News. 26 April 2025. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  8. ^ a b c d "Iran's president visits those injured in port explosion that killed at least 40 people". AP News. 27 April 2025. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  9. ^ a b Mao, Frances (27 April 2025). "Huge blast at key Iranian port kills 28 and injures 800". BBC Online. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  10. ^ "Iran port explosion kills 14, injures 750 – official toll". Iran International. 26 April 2025. Archived from the original on 27 April 2025. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  11. ^ a b "406 injured as 'massive' explosion hits Iran's port city of Bandar Abbas". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  12. ^ "At least 281 injured after explosion at port in Iran's Bandar Abbas". Reuters. 26 April 2025. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  13. ^ "Major blast at south Iran port kills 5, injures hundreds". France 24. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  14. ^ "Death Toll Rises to 70 in Iran Port Explosion". IranWire. 28 April 2025. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  15. ^ a b c "Toll from Iran port blast hits 40 as fire blazes". France 24. 27 April 2025. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  16. ^ "Death toll in suspected chemical blast at key Iran port rises to 25". Al Jazeera. 27 April 2025. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  17. ^ "Iran says fire contained after deadly blast at key port". France 24. 29 April 2025. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  18. ^ "Fires rage 2 days after Iran port blast killed 40". France 24. 28 April 2025. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  19. ^ a b Gharagozlou, Leila; Lister, Tim; Brennan, Eve; Vetch, Frankie (27 April 2025). "Iran tight-lipped on cause of deadly port explosion that killed at least 40 people". msn.com. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  20. ^ Eyad Kourdi; Leila Gharagozlou (26 April 2025). "More than 500 injured in huge explosion at Iranian oil port". CNN. Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  21. ^ Swan, Melanie (27 April 2025). "Missile fuel from China 'caused Iran port explosion'". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  22. ^ "Report: missile fuel may have ignited deadly Iranian port explosion". Middle East Monitor. 28 April 2025. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  23. ^ "Iran port explosion caused by negligence: Interior minister". LBCIV7. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  24. ^ a b c "Iran oil port explosion: Massive blast rocks Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas". The Economic Times. India. 26 April 2025. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  25. ^ "Iranian port explosion injures more than 500 workers". Financial Times. 2025.
  26. ^ "Everything we know about the massive blast at Iran's Bandar Abbas port". The New Arab.
  27. ^ "Iran's President Pezeshkian visits injured, site of deadly port explosion". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
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