BY LISA NYAMBURA
At least 500 people have been injured following a massive explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port district in Bandar Abbas, southern Iran, according to state media reports.
The blast occurred on Saturday morning, shattering windows of nearby office buildings and sending debris across the area.
Although no fatalities have been officially reported so far, footage from the scene shows several wounded individuals lying on the streets, with some feared trapped under partially collapsed structures.
A major fire continues to burn at the site, with images showing thick black smoke billowing over the wharfs.
Emergency workers are racing to evacuate the area and transfer the injured to nearby hospitals.
Officials told state TV that the explosion was centred around several unsealed containers stored at the port.
“The source of this incident was the explosion of several containers stored in the Shahid Rajaee Port wharf area,” a crisis management official confirmed, according to BBC Persian.
The force of the explosion caused widespread damage, smashing windows, and wrecking cars in the vicinity. Residents reported hearing the blast from several kilometres away.
Traffic chaos ensued as motorists fled the scene, some driving vehicles with shattered windshields.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the explosion, and the number of injured continues to rise as more information comes in.
The Shahid Rajaee port is one of Iran’s busiest shipping hubs, raising concerns about the impact on regional trade.
Officials have urged the public to stay away from the port as emergency operations continue.
