Tehran: On Saturday, a huge explosion occurred near Bandar Abbas through the Shahid Raji port of Iran, killing at least 25 people and injuring more than 800.
The explosion made small explosions in nearby containers and continued on Sunday.
Here we know:
Strategic port
The Shahid Raji port is one of the most important sea hubs in Iran, which is situated on the northern edge of the strainer of the hormuz, a waterway through which one-fifth part of global oil production passes.
2,400 acres (970 hectares) with broad warehouses and storage facilities spread, it is considered the largest and most busy commercial port of Iran.
The region has been named a special economic zone, serving as a major center of Iran’s imports, exports and transmission operations.
Local media has reported that Port handles about 50% of Iran’s total trade and about 85% -90% of all containers traffic.
Shahid Raji Port is part of the Greater Monkey Abbas metropolitan area, which covers about 100 square kilometers (39 square mi) and is home to about 650,000 people.
The site is also home to the mainstay of the Iranian Navy.
Along with nearby Shahid Bahonar port, Shahid Raji created an important component of the commercial and strategic infrastructure of monkey Abbas.
Extension projects at the port have been going on for years, including a grain silo and construction of new fishing ports.
Last month, officials signed an agreement to build oil tanks at the port with a capacity of 80,000 cubic meters, according to, Meher news agency,
Explosion
Citing the customs office of the port, before the afternoon on Saturday on Saturday, before noon, the dangerous and chemical materials were likely to be at the storage depot, stated by the local media.
It spread to other containers at the port, in which small explosions set fire by Sunday.
Officials have requested that the residents of the area should stay indoors or use face masks citing toxic gas release.
The state -owned national Iranian oil product distribution company said that the explosion has “no connection” with its facilities.
According to a statement made by local media, “Monkey Abbas oil facilities are currently working without any interruption”.
The exact cause of Saturday’s explosion is not clear.
Past events
The region has seen the previous events, although on a very small scale.
In March 2024, a worker was killed and two others injured when a fire broke out at a fire at Aftb Oil Refinery near Bandar Abbas.
In May 2020, Shahid Raji Port faced a major cyber attack, which stopped the shipping traffic and crippling system, according to a report Washington Post,
The report stated that the attack was done by “Israeli operators”, although Iranian officials have never confirmed the link of Israel.
