President Masoud Pezeshkian headed to Iran’s southern Hormozgan Province to further investigate the huge blast that occurred on Saturday at Shahid Rajaee Port. The blast has killed 28 people so far and caused massive damage to nearby buildings and cars.
Fatemeh Mohajerani, the spokeswoman for Iran’s administration, announced a day of public mourning for Monday (April 27) following the tragic incident. She extended her condolences to the bereaved families.
Death toll of huge blast in southern Iran rises to 28
Unfortunately, the number of individuals killed at Iran’s Shahid Rajaee Port in southern Hormozgan Province has increased to 28. According to the head of the Red Crescent Society of Iran, the rescue operation was carried out very well. Currently, 190 injured individuals are in hospitals, 20 of whom are under critical and special treatment.
The identities of 10 victims—8 men and 2 women—have been confirmed, the public relations office of the Justice Department of Hormozgan Province announced.
Following the incident, the officials of the province have declared three days of public mourning in the province.
Addressing Hormozgan crisis management meeting, Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni said all necessary measures have been taken, and President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued order in this regard.
Following the incident, the officials of the province have declared three days of public mourning in the province.
Addressing Hormozgan crisis management meeting, Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni said all necessary measures have been taken, and President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued order in this regard.
The blast occurred on Saturday, causing destruction in the surrounding areas and affecting some industries in western Bandar Abbas.
Iran explosion: Rescue operations have been fully completed
Mehrdad Hassanzadeh, Director General of Crisis Management at Hormozgan Province, stated regarding the recent fire at Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas that the rescue operations have been fully completed and the current focus is on extinguishing the fire.
President Pezeshkian monitors rescue operations at Shahid Rajaee Port
In response to the powerful explosion, which resulted in 25 fatalities, 6 missing individuals, and 1,139 injured, President Masoud Pezeshkian issued directives aimed at managing the crisis, calling for the mobilization of all resources to assist the injured.
The president contacted with Minister of Interior Eskandar Momeni for updates on the situation on the ground, given the minister’s presence at the port. He also instructed the minister to control the critical situation, ensure the area’s security, and speed up the reconstruction and reopening of the important port.
Fatemeh Mohajerani, the spokesperson for the administration, said that the situation is under control, with a significant portion of the fire contained. According to the spokesperson, firefighters are working to extinguish the remaining 20% of the fire.
She also said that 1,139 individuals sought treatment at healthcare centers, with some being airlifted to Shiraz and Larestan cities for further care.
Mohammad-Reza Zafarghandi, Minister of Health and Medical Education, said that the situation remains fully managed thanks to immediate actions taken after the incident, including the procurement of blood, medical supplies, and treatment facilities. He assured that various ministries are prepared to transfer the injured to other provinces if necessary.
Pir-Hossein Kolivand, Head of the Red Crescent Society, said that there are currently 300 injured individuals in hospitals in Bandar Abbas city, most of whom are expected to be discharged soon.
Kolivand also said that search and rescue operations are ongoing at Shahid Rajaee Port, with some injured patients being sent to Tehran for treatment. The extinguishing operation continues, but the overall situation is under control, he said.
Compensation for the damaged cars
Owners of cars that were registered under the district of Bandar Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas and whose cars were damaged due to Saturday’s explosions will receive compensation, said the representative of Bandar Abbas in Iran’s Parliament.
Global reactions to the massive blasts at Iran's southern port; messages of regional unity
Nournews wrote that the blast at Shahid Rajaei was followed by widespread reactions from regional countries. Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UAE, Kuwait, and Pakistan announced their support for Iran by sending messages of condolence and unity.
These messages are manifestations of close relations and regional unity in critical times.
The blast at Shahid Rajaei Port is significant because 85 percent of container operations, 70 percent of commodity transfers, and 43 percent of oil operations are conducted at this port.
Excellent access to the rail and ground routes of the North-South Corridor and rapid connection to the Strait of Hormuz have made the port a desirable target for export and import.
Saudi king condoles Iran over Bandar Abbas port explosion
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent a message of condolences to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian following the explosion at Iran's Bandar Abbas.
Saudi Arabia has conveyed condolences to Iran over the victims of Bandar Abbas Port explosion which killed at least 18 people and injured hundreds more.
On Sunday, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, sent a cable of condolences and sympathy to the Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian, following the explosion that occurred in the Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas.
King Salman expressed his sincere condolences and sympathy to Pezeshkian, the families of the victims, and the brotherly Iranian people. He also wished the injured speedy recovery, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Similarly, the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman, extended his sincere condolences and sympathy to Pezeshkian and the families of the explosion’s victims, wishing the injured a swift recovery.
On Saturday, a massive explosion and fire hit the Shahid Rajaee section of the Bandar Abbas Port in southern Iran, killing at least 18 people and injuring more than 700, reported Reuters. Iran’s President Pezeshkian ordered an investigation into the incident and sent the Interior Minister to the site.
Following the explosion at Bandar Abbas, the Saudi Foreign Ministry expressed it sincere condolences and sympathy to Iran and the families of the victims. It also expressed readiness to provide any assistance requested by the Iranian authorities in the aftermath of this tragedy, the Ministry said in a statement.
Putin offers condolences to Leader over Iran explosion
Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his condolences to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, over the deadly blast in southern Iran.
The Russian President extended condolences to the Leader over the casualties and extensive destruction caused by the explosion at the Port of Shahid Rajaee in Hormozgan Province, southern Iran.
Putin also expressed Moscow's readiness to provide necessary assistance in addressing the aftermath of the tragedy.
S Korean embassy offers condolences to Iran after blast
The Embassy of South Korea in Tehran has expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and injured after a tragic explosion at Shahid Rajaei Port in Bandar Abbas.
"We are deeply saddened by this devastating incident and stand with the people of Iran in this difficult situation," said the embassy in a message on Sunday.
"We express our condolences to the bereaved families, the injured, and all those affected by this incident," the Embassy added.
Nournews/MNA/IRNA