Fire after port explosion in Iran reported to be under control
Fire after explosion at Iranian port Shahid Rajaee under control, say Iranian authorities.
At least 70 people have lost their lives in the explosion and the subsequent fire.
Iranian state TV on Tuesday broadcast live images from the port, showing thick smoke rising from stacked containers.
The explosion at the commercial port occurred on Saturday. Since then, firefighters have been working to get the fire under control.
Hossein Zafari, spokesperson for the country’s crisis management organization, told the Iranian news agency ILNA that the situation has significantly improved since Monday.
However, it may still take around 15 to 20 days before the firefighting efforts are fully completed, he said.
In addition to the fatalities, over 1,000 people have been injured as a result of the explosion and subsequent fire, according to Iranian state media. There has also been extensive damage to the port.
Iranian customs authorities told the news agency IRNA that operations at the port have returned to normal.
Investigation underway
The explosion at the port was so powerful that, according to the Fars news agency, it could be heard and felt up to 50 kilometers away.
Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has called the explosion deeply regrettable and has ordered an investigation into the incident.
On Saturday, Hossein Zafari, spokesperson for Iran’s crisis management organization, stated that chemicals in containers were the cause of the explosion.
However, a government spokesperson said it is still not possible to determine the exact cause of the explosion.
According to the local governor, Mohammad Ashouri, sabotage is not suspected.
- The hypotheses and investigations conducted so far indicate that the sabotage theory lacks foundation and relevance, he told a state TV station on Monday.
Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni told state TV that the explosion was partly caused by “failure to comply with safety measures and negligence."
A committee tasked with investigating the cause of the explosion has pointed to similar factors as likely causes.
