Breaking: Massive explosion in southern Iran port injures 300

A devastating explosion and subsequent fire erupted at Iran’s Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas on Saturday, April 26, 2025, resulting in at least five fatalities and over 700 injuries. The incident occurred around 12:10 PM local time and has been attributed to improperly stored chemical materials, possibly including sodium perchlorate, a compound used in missile fuel.

Incident Overview

The blast originated from containers within the port’s Sina container yard, producing a massive fire and a plume of black smoke visible for kilometers. The shockwave shattered windows and caused structural damage to buildings several kilometers away, with reports of at least one building collapse. The explosion was reportedly heard as far as Qeshm Island, located 26 kilometers south of Bandar Abbas, and was felt at a distance of 50 kilometers from the site.

Emergency services, including the Iranian Red Crescent Society, dispatched rapid response teams to the scene. Injured individuals were evacuated and transported to nearby medical facilities. Firefighting efforts were undertaken to control and extinguish the blaze. Port operations were suspended temporarily to facilitate emergency response activities.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the explosion. Preliminary assessments suggest that negligence in handling flammable materials may have contributed to the incident. The National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company stated that the explosion did not impact its infrastructure, including refineries, fuel tanks, distribution complexes, or oil pipelines.

Strategic Significance

Shahid Rajaee Port is Iran’s largest commercial port, handling approximately 80 million tons of goods annually. Located near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, it serves as a critical hub for the country’s maritime trade. The port is situated approximately 23 kilometers west of Bandar Abbas and is adjacent to facilities operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). (2025 Port of Shahid Rajaee explosion)

The explosion coincided with the third round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States in Oman, though no direct connection has been established. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged heightened security due to past threats.