Massive port explosion in Iran kills 40

A huge blast in Iran at its largest commercial port killed at least 40 people and injured more than 1,000, Report informs via BBC.

The explosion happened on Saturday morning at Shahid Rajaee port. Many people rushed to hospitals up and down the country to give blood.

A day later, fires are still blazing as a thick black cloud of toxic chemicals hangs over the surrounding area.

People in nearby towns and cities have been told by the health ministry to stay indoors "until further notice" and wear more protective clothes.

In the nearby southern city of Bandar Abbas, home to the Iranian Navy's main base, all schools and offices were ordered to shut on Sunday to allow authorities to focus on the emergency effort, state TV said.

A local festival not far from Shahid Rajee Port that was supposed to be a celebration spontaneously turned into a solemn occasion for remembering the dead and praying for the injured.

Authorities declared a day of national mourning on April 28, with an additional two days of mourning in Hormozgan province.

17:08

At least 28 people have been killed and 800 injured in a huge explosion at the port of Bandar Abbas in southern Iran, state media say, Report informs via CNN.

The explosion sent a huge plume of thick, gray smoke from the Shahid Rajaee part of the port complex, according to videos geolocated by CNN, with the government saying the blast was likely linked to chemicals being stored.

Iran’s Minister of Interior Eskandar Momeni said six people remain missing as firefighters continue to work to extinguish the blaze, despite challenges posed by high winds, Iranian media noted.

No cause has been given for the explosion. A government spokeswoman, Fatemeh Mohajerani, said it would take some time to establish the cause, “but so far what has been determined is that containers were stored in a corner of the port that likely contained chemicals which exploded.”

She added: “But until the fire is extinguished, it’s hard to ascertain the cause.”

Iran’s National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company said the explosion at the port was not related to the refineries, fuel tanks, or oil pipelines “associated with the company in that area.” This came after Iranian official media reported that the blast occurred after a fuel tanker at the port “exploded for unknown reasons.”

The incident prompted Iranian authorities to declare a state of emergency in the city of Bandar Abbas to safeguard citizens amid a “significant rise in air pollution.”

The Ministry of Health has mobilized health teams and implemented emergency measures to protect public health. Citizens are advised to stay indoors, avoid outdoor activities, and keep windows closed, according to official Iranian media.