The death toll from a major explosion in Iran’s most important container port of Bandar Abbas rose to at least 70, with over 1,200 injured, state media said on Monday, as firefighters battled a blaze that Iranian officials said was now under control 48 hours after the start of the fire.
Saturday’s blast took place in the Shahid Rajaee section of the port, Iran’s biggest container hub. Efforts to put out the ensuing blaze have continued since with sporadic fires breaking out due to wind and flammable goods in the containers, some releasing toxic emissions in the area, according to state media.
“After putting the huge fire under control, rescue operations are underway” Iran’s state media said, citing the governor of Hormozgan Province, in which Bandar Abbas is situated. “Removing containers could take up to two weeks”, it added.
Iran’s ISNA news agency cited its interior minister Eskandar Momeni as saying national operations to confront the fire in Shahid Rajaee had ended and the management of firefighting had been handed over to local authorities.
“Shortcomings in regards to not respecting security protocols have been identified and some of the individuals at fault have been summoned”, Momeni said, according to state media.
An initial report by the investigative committee charged with the incident found shortcomings in adherence to principles of civil defence and security.
Around 22 people are missing and 22 bodies have not been identified yet, state TV cited the governor of Hormozgan as saying.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday ordered an investigation to “uncover any negligence or intent” behind the incident, an indication that authorities are not ruling out sabotage.
The incident occurred as Iran began a third round of nuclear talks with the United States in Oman, but there was no indication of a link between the two events.
Iran’s Infrastructure Communications Company said on Monday that a large cyber attack against the country’s infrastructure had been repelled a day after the blast, without providing more detail.
Poor storage of chemicals in containers is suspected of having caused the explosion. A spokesperson for the crisis management organisation said on Saturday that earlier warnings had highlighted potential safety risks at the port.
Iran’s defence ministry dismissed on Sunday international media reports suggesting the blast may be linked to the mishandling of solid fuel used for missiles.
(Reuters)
