More than 1000 people injured after cargo caught fire and exploded
A massive explosion and fire at the Iranian port of Shahid Rajaee has left at least 70 people dead and more than 1000 others injured. The blast occurred on the morning of 26 April, and was reportedly felt up to 50km away. The ensuing fire spread between cargo containers across large areas of the port. Fires continued to burn for several days, and clean-up operations are ongoing. Iranian authorities have reportedly arrested two people, including a government official, in connection with the incident
According to BBC reporting, Iran’s interior minister, Eskandar Momeni, said the blast was caused by ‘shortcomings, including noncompliance with safety precautions and negligence’. The Customs Administration reportedly said the cargo that caught fire and exploded had neither been registered nor formally declared before the incident.
Iran’s defence ministry has denied reports from maritime intelligence agencies and international news sources that the explosion was likely caused by improper handling of a shipment of sodium perchlorate, destined for use as fuel in ballistic missiles. Ministry spokesman Brigadier General Reza Talai-Nik said on 27 April that there ‘were and are no import or export of fuel shipments or cargo for military use in the vicinity of the incident’.
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