Iran mourns tragic blast at major southern port
90% of fire under control
Iran declared Monday a day of national mourning after a key port in southern province of Hormozgan rocked by a deadly massive explosion on Saturday.
According to the country’s Red Crescent Society, the incident, which occurred at the Shahid Rajaei port in Bandar Abbas, has killed 36 people and injured over 1,240 others so far.
Authorities said only 10 of the dead, including two women, have been identified so far.
Hormozgan Governor Mohammad Ashouri Taziani has also announced three days of public mourning over the deadly explosion at Shahid Rajaei Port which is the most advanced container port in Iran.
The iconic Milad Tower in Tehran and Tabiat Bridge turned off their lights to show solidarity with the families of the victims.
Meanwhile, cinemas and comedy shows cancelled their programs.
Damage extent
The explosion at the port destroyed some nearby buildings and damaged vehicles parked near the site of the incident.
Shipping containers burned, goods inside were badly damaged and the explosion was so powerful that windows several miles away were shattered. The blast was also heard in Qeshm, an island 26 kilometers south of the port.
Fire under control
It has also caused a massive fire which has led to extensive material damage in the port.
Helicopters and aircraft dumped water from the air on the raging fire through the night into Sunday morning at the Shahid Rajaei Port, where thick smoke continued to billow on Sunday.
With choking smoke spreading throughout the area, schools and offices 23km away in Bandar Abbas, the Hormozgan provincial capital, were ordered closed on Sunday to allow authorities to focus on the emergency effort.
The health ministry urged residents to avoid going outside until further notice and to use protective masks.
Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, who visited the port on Sunday, said that firefighters have managed to bring around 90 percent of the fire under control.
Pezeshkian’s visits explosion site
President Masoud Pezeshkian also traveled to Bandar Abbas to review the latest situation. He emphasized the need to expedite the complete extinguishing of the fire and prevent the spread of damage.
He also visited a hospital in Bandar Abbas, where some of the affected people have been hospitalized. Some of the injured victims have been taken to other cities, including in Shiraz. Some of the injured were also airlifted for treatment in the capital Tehran.
The president expressed his appreciation to first responders, adding “We have come to see first-hand if there is anything or any issue that the government can follow up on”.
“We will try to take care of the families who lost their loved ones, and we will definitely take care of the dear people who got injured,” he said.
Oil facilities not affected
National Iranian Oil Products Refining and Distribution Company issued a statement saying that oil facilities in the area were not affected by the blast.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the incident which is currently unknown.
Messages of condolences
Global condolences have been pouring in since Saturday over the tragic incident.
The United Arab Emirates expressed “solidarity with Iran” and Saudi Arabia sent condolences, as did Pakistan, India, Turkey, Jordan, Cuba and the United Nations as well as Russia.
Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, expressed the UN’s solidarity with the government and people of Iran during this difficult time on Saturday.
“We express our condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We wish the injured a swift recovery,” he said.
The Lebanese movement Hezbollah also offered condolences, saying Iran, with its “faith and solid will, can overcome this tragic accident”.
In the first reaction from a major European country, the German Embassy in Tehran said on Instagram: “Bandar Abbas we grieve with you.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin was one of the first world leaders to offer help to Iran, dispatching several emergency planes to the area.
Putin has expressed his condolences over the loss of life and offered to provide help to Iran dealing with the aftermath of a blast, the Kremlin said.