Iran's interior minister, Eskandar Momeni, has announced that negligence was a significant factor contributing to the massive explosion at Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, resulted in at least 70 fatalities and more than 1,000 injuries. Momeni stated that the explosion was linked to "shortcomings, including noncompliance with safety precautions and negligence," and added that authorities have summoned key individuals for questioning.
The port's customs authorities report that the fire that led to the explosion started in an imported cargo which had not been registered or formally declared prior to the disaster, according to Isna news agency. Despite various claims surrounding the nature of the cargo, including unverified reports of missile fuel, Iran's defence ministry has rejected these allegations, stating there was no military-related shipment involved.
Firefighting efforts at the port have progressed to the final stages, according to Hormozgan province's crisis management director, Mehrdad Hassanzadeh. Meanwhile, Hormozgan Governor Mohammad Ashouri Taziani indicated that clean-up operations may extend over several days, with a full return to normalcy potentially taking one to two weeks. The damage, affecting almost two-thirds of the port's area, spans an estimated 1,500 hectares (3,700 acres).
Sina Marine and Port Services Development Company, responsible for the operations at the site, has acknowledged a "repeated and catastrophic error involving false declarations of hazardous goods." This acknowledgement comes as independent maritime risk consultancy, Ambrey Intelligence, reported that the port received sodium perchlorate—a solid fuel often used in missile technology—last month, and the explosion might have stemmed from improper handling.
