Explosion Rocks Commercial Port of Bandar Abbas in Iran
A huge explosion shook the commercial port of Bandar Abbas in Iran at 12:00 on the morning of April 26. Reports from Iranian media indicate that at least 14 people have been killed, with six others still missing. The number of injured individuals varies, with some sources stating that at least 300 people are hospitalized and another 200 were treated and released, while other reports suggest as many as 750 people were injured.
Office buildings in the port have been damaged, with windows blown out by the force of the explosion. The immediate area surrounding the port is primarily commercial, which helped to reduce the number of people directly impacted by the blast.
The explosion is believed to have originated in a container stored in the hazardous and flammable section of the container park. The Shahid Rajaei commercial port, where the incident occurred, handles a significant portion of Iran’s non-oil and gas exports and imports. Plans for the expansion of the port have been in place for several years to increase its capacity.
The port is located 10 miles west of the Bandar Abbas Naval Harbor, which serves as the homeport for most of Iran’s regular Navy. The Iranian authorities have been working on connecting the commercial port to Iran’s transnational rail network to enhance transportation capabilities.
In the lead-up to the explosion, The Maritime Executive tracked two sanctioned ships owned by Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), MV Golbon and MV Jairan, which unloaded cargoes of sodium perchlorate at Bandar Abbas. Sodium perchlorate is used in the production of ammonium perchlorate rocket fuel for Iran’s ballistic missiles.
It remains unclear whether containers from these ships were still present at the port during the explosion or if they played a role in triggering the blast. Despite speculation, Israeli authorities have denied any involvement in or knowledge of the incident.
Notably, NASA fire-detecting imagery has not yet shown any significant heat signatures at the Shahid Rajaei port following the explosion. Heat spots detected are primarily from oil refineries and the Hormozgan steel works.
Investigations into the cause of the explosion are ongoing as authorities work to assess the extent of the damage and ensure the safety and well-being of those affected by the tragic event.