BANDAR ABBAS, Iran — At least 28 people were killed and more than 1,000 injured after a massive explosion rocked Shahid Rajaee Port, Iran’s largest commercial harbor, on Saturday. Fires continued to burn into Sunday, hampering rescue operations and raising concerns over environmental and logistical fallout.
The blast occurred at a hazardous materials storage facility within the port, located in the southern city of Bandar Abbas near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The explosion, reportedly felt up to 50 kilometers away, sent thick plumes of black smoke into the sky and caused widespread structural damage.
Footage from the scene showed scorched vehicles, debris-strewn roads, and emergency workers attempting to contain the blaze. Helicopters dropped water on smoldering containers as firefighters struggled to bring the situation under control nearly 24 hours after the initial blast.
Red Crescent chief Pirhossein Koolivand confirmed the updated toll on Sunday, warning that the number of casualties could rise further. “We are still in the process of search and rescue, and the situation remains dangerous due to residual fires and toxic smoke,” he said.
Officials said the explosion likely began with a fire in the port’s chemical storage area. A regional emergency authority reported multiple containers containing volatile substances had ignited. One source linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps told The New York Times that sodium perchlorate—used in missile propellants—may have been involved.
Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, speaking from the site on Sunday, said that the situation had “stabilized” in key areas and that port operations, including customs clearance, had resumed. However, schools and government offices in Bandar Abbas remained closed due to heavy smoke and health risks.
President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed condolences to the victims and ordered an investigation. “This tragic incident demands transparency and urgency,” he said before traveling to the port to oversee the response.
The provincial government declared three days of mourning. The Health Ministry advised residents to remain indoors and use protective masks due to worsening air quality.
International reactions poured in following the disaster. Russian President Vladimir Putin dispatched emergency aircraft and firefighting teams to Iran, while leaders from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates expressed solidarity and extended condolences.
The explosion occurred just as Iranian and U.S. delegations held nuclear talks in Oman, and amid a backdrop of regional tensions. Although authorities have not linked the incident to foreign interference, the Shahid Rajaee Port was previously targeted in a 2020 cyberattack reportedly carried out by Israel.
With port operations disrupted and emergency crews stretched thin, Iran faces a critical challenge in managing the aftermath of one of its worst industrial disasters in recent years. The government has announced April 28 as a national day of mourning.
