A catastrophic explosion at Iran’s largest commercial port, Shahid Rajaee, has claimed the lives of 65 people, with authorities attributing the disaster to negligence and safety failures. The blaze erupted on Saturday and continues to rage as firefighters struggle to bring it under control.
IRNA reported that the death toll, initially reported as 46, has now climbed to 65. As per Mohammad Ashouri, the governor of Hormozgan province, where the port is located. Over 1,000 people were injured, with 120 still hospitalised, as confirmed by Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, who visited the site. The explosion occurred at a hazardous materials storage facility, though the exact cause remains under investigation.
'Negligence' involved in Shahid Rajaee port explosion
Iran's Interior Ministry summons 'some culprits'
46 killed, 138 still hospitalized after deadly April 26 blast pic.twitter.com/9Hrhph4jjC
— RT (@RT_com) April 28, 2025Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has ordered a full probe into the incident, while Interior Minister Momeni stated that “culprits have been identified and summoned.” He emphasised that the blast resulted from “shortcomings, including noncompliance with safety precautions and negligence.”
Eyewitness Accounts and Footage
CCTV footage shared on social media captures the initial moments of the disaster, showing a small fire emitting orange-brown smoke near stacked containers. This was quickly followed by a sudden and massive explosion that caused workers to flee for their lives. The Iranian Red Crescent images depict thick black smoke billowing over the port, with firefighting helicopters deployed to battle the flames.
The explosion comes at a sensitive time, as Iranian and U.S. delegations were engaged in high-level nuclear talks in Oman. While authorities have treated the incident as an accident, it occurred against a backdrop of longstanding tensions between Iran and Israel.
Iran's Interior Ministry announces the conclusion of the firefighting operation at Shahid Rajaee Port, with cleanup and debris removal set to continue in the coming days.
The death toll from the explosion in the port has risen to 65, with over 1,000 injured. pic.twitter.com/GcAMqlAx9p
— PressTV Extra (@PresstvExtra) April 28, 2025In 2020, The Washington Post reported that Israel allegedly launched a cyberattack targeting the same port, raising questions about potential sabotage, though no evidence currently links this blast to foreign interference.
Read: Iran’s Supreme Leader Orders Probe into Deadly Bandar Abbas Port Blast
Authorities have closed schools and offices in the area, urging residents to stay indoors and wear protective masks due to toxic fumes. Russia, a key Iranian ally, has dispatched specialists to assist in firefighting efforts. Iran has declared a national day of mourning, while Hormozgan province observes three days of mourning.
