An explosion occurred at Shahid Rajaee port complex in Bandar Abbas, southwestern Iran on Saturday.
Gatekeepers News reports that official Iranian media and emergency services revealed that four people died, while more than 500 were injured in the incident.
Videos geolocated by CNN show a massive plume of gray smoke rising from the site, with officials suggesting the blast may have originated from chemical materials stored at the facility.
The head of Iran’s emergency services confirmed the fatalities, while a spokesperson reported that 516 individuals sustained injuries.
Surveillance footage shared by Mehr News Agency captured the moment of the explosion, appearing to show a warehouse as the source. Additional footage showed helicopters dropping water to extinguish the flames.
State media reported extensive damage across the port complex, with debris scattered widely and buildings severely impacted. The force of the blast shattered windows several kilometers away, and some individuals were reportedly trapped under collapsed structures.
Regional Governor Mohammad Ashouri Taziani revealed that the injured had been taken to medical facilities in Bandar Abbas and confirmed that the fire had been brought under control. Port operations have been suspended and the facility closed pending further investigations.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered an official inquiry into the incident, dispatching the interior minister to oversee the situation.
State broadcaster IRIB reported that the explosion occurred in an area designated for chemical and sulfur storage.
Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani cautioned that while preliminary findings suggest stored chemical containers may have caused the blast, a definitive cause cannot be confirmed until the fire is fully extinguished.
