A catastrophic blast shook Iran’s Shahid Rajaee port, killing at least five and leaving over 500 others injured. The explosion, which emanated from part of the crowded dock area, radiated shockwaves across the coastal area, shattering surrounding buildings and sending people into widespread panic among workers and residents alike. Rescue efforts and emergency teams scrambled to the site to rescue the injured and stabilize the situation.
Preliminary reports indicate that the cause of the explosion could have been hazardous material improperly stored on the site, though authorities have opened a full-scale inquiry to ascertain the actual reason for the blast. Rescue efforts continued throughout the night, with rescue teams working day and night to locate survivors buried in rubble and attend to injured victims.
Hospitals around the region soon became inundated, leading to the government placing an emergency call for blood donations and medical aid. Witnesses spoke of scenes of destruction, with heavy clouds of smoke rising into the air and broken containers scattered around the port, a key entry point for Iran’s commerce activities.
The Iranian government has promised a complete investigation into the accident while assuring complete support to affected families. Until the port operations are resumed temporarily, the attention is still on recovery operations and keeping those in the vicinity safe.
