A large explosion occurred on Saturday (April 26, 2025) at the Bandar Abbas port in southern Iran. Iranian state media reported that at least 25 people were killed and about 750 were injured in the blast. The explosion tore through the Shahid Rajaee section of the port – Iran’s biggest container terminal. Videos showed a thick black-and-orange cloud of smoke billowing above the port after the blast. Authorities are still fighting fires and searching the wreckage to find any survivors or causes of the blast.
The Explosion
On Saturday afternoon, a huge blast shook the Bandar Abbas port. State TV and eyewitnesses reported a powerful explosion that blew off building doors and sent glass and debris flying for kilometres. The blast hit the Shahid Rajaee area of the port. Smoke could be seen for miles and officials described the damage as severe. Rescue teams and emergency services rushed to the scene to help trapped and injured people.
Bandar Abbas’s Strategic Significance
Bandar Abbas is a city in Hormozgan province, in southern Iran. Its Shahid Rajaee port sits on the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway through which about 20% of the world’s oil tankers pass. It is a very busy shipping route. The Bandar Abbas port is Iran’s largest container port, handling most of the country’s goods shipped by sea. Because of its location, any accident at this port can have a big impact on shipping and trade in the region.
Casualties and Injuries
The number of casualties is high and still rising. Iranian officials first reported that at least 18 people had been killed and more than 700 injured. By Sunday, the death toll was said to be at least 25 with over 750 hurt. Later reports put the toll even higher, with about 40 people dead and more than 1,200 injured. Many of the injured suffered burns, broken glass wounds and cuts. Ambulances brought wounded people to nearby hospitals, and medics worked through the night to save lives.
Suspected Chemical Triggers
Officials believe the blast was likely caused by chemicals or other dangerous materials in shipping containers. One crisis management spokesman, Hossein Zafari, told Iranian media: “The cause of the explosion was the chemicals inside the containers”. He said containers at the port had been storing flammable or toxic goods and that safety warnings had been given before. Local port officials also said the containers held “dangerous goods and chemicals”.
However, the exact cause is still under investigation. Iran’s Defence Ministry dismissed outside speculation about weapons or missile fuel. A defence spokesman said the blast area “did not contain any military cargo”. In other words, there were no known missiles, rockets or military supplies in that part of the port. Authorities cautioned against jumping to conclusions. They said a full investigation would be needed before confirming exactly what went wrong.
Authorities’ Response
Iranian leaders have ordered a thorough probe into the disaster. President Masoud Pezeshkian visited the scene on Sunday and said experts must determine what happened. He sent the interior minister to Bandar Abbas to oversee rescue and safety efforts. The Iranian Interior Ministry also formally announced an investigation into the blast. The president offered his condolences to the victims’ families and urged all agencies to work together to help those affected.
By Sunday, firefighters and rescue crews were still working to put out fires at the port. State media showed helicopters and dozens of fire engines spraying water onto burning containers. Officials said about 90% of the fire was finally out by the afternoon. Parts of the port outside the blast zone were reopened so some operations could continue, while other sections remained closed for safety checks.
Iran’s Red Crescent and relief organizations joined in the rescue. They set up emergency tents and medical stations to treat the injured. Aid workers handed out food and blankets to survivors who had been evacuated from the port area.
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Aftermath and context
This explosion is one of several recent accidents in Iran’s industrial sites that officials say were caused by negligence. In past years there have been fires at oil refineries, a gas explosion in a mine, and an earlier accident at this same port that killed a worker.
State media noted that many such incidents happen due to poor storage or handling of materials. At the time of the blast, Iranian negotiators were meeting with U.S. officials in Oman for nuclear talks, but both sides said the explosion was unrelated to the talks. Iran’s government emphasized the focus should be on saving lives and finding the cause of the fire.
As investigations continue, authorities have urged people to stay away from the area and allow rescue teams to work. They also warned of health risks from the chemicals and ash in the air, advising nearby residents to wear masks and stay indoors if possible.
