Pezeshkian places premium on discovery of port blast causes
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called on officials to prioritize the discovery of causes behind Saturday’s tragic explosion in the country’s main southern port instead of identifying culprits or potential suspects involved in the deadly incident.
At least 70 people have lost their lives and more than 1,200 others wounded in the explosion and ensuing fire which rocked the Shahid Rajaei Port in the southern province of Hormozgan.
The government will do its utmost to resolve the problems facing the families of the victims of the incident, the president said, while addressing a national commendation ceremony for seasoned laborers and elite workers.
The president asked the relevant authorities to assess the damage and carry out compensation payments as quickly as possible so that the affected individuals do not suffer further losses.
During a Wednesday cabinet meeting, Pezeshkian also said that cargo shipments should not be permitted to stay on site for months at a time and said distribution processes need to be accelerated.
On Monday, the interior minister said that the fire likely started due to “negligence” because the cargo was improperly stored.
Eskandar Momeni said there were “shortcomings, including noncompliance with safety precautions and negligence.”
Authorities said on Tuesday that the port has resumed its activities after firefighters managed to fully contain a fire caused by the blast.
Despite the serious damage to the Bandar Abbas desalination plant and power plant, vital facilities have been restored in the shortest possible time, according to the authorities at the country’s main port.
Head of Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization Saeed Rasouli on Tuesday announced the docking of 35 ships carrying various types of cargo at the port.
The customs at the port also announced that it has resumed its activities since Sunday.
An investigation is underway to determine the main cause behind the incident.
The port’s customs office said the blast may have started in a depot storing hazardous and chemical materials.
The port of Shahid Rajaee lies near the major coastal city of Bandar Abbas on the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which one-fifth of global oil output passes.