BANDAR ABBAS, Iran — A catastrophic explosion tore through Iran’s largest commercial port on April 26, killing at least four people and injuring more than 500 others in a chaotic scene of fire, smoke, and shattered glass. The blast, centered at Shahid Rajaee port near the southern city of Bandar Abbas, sent a thick plume of black and orange smoke billowing into the sky, visible for miles and heard as far as Qeshm Island, 16 miles away.
The disaster struck in the Sina container yard, a bustling section of the port that handles roughly 80 million tons of goods annually. Initial reports point to poorly stored chemicals as the culprit, with officials noting that containers holding flammable materials ignited, triggering a chain reaction. The force was so intense it shattered windows across several kilometers, collapsed at least one building, and sprayed debris over roads and nearby neighborhoods. Emergency crews scrambled to douse raging fires while evacuating trucks and workers from the danger zone.
By mid-afternoon, the death toll stood at four, confirmed by rescue teams combing through the wreckage. Over 516 people were reported injured, many treated on the spot amid scenes of confusion, with some victims sprawled on roadsides as first responders rushed to help. Aerial and naval firefighting teams were deployed to contain the blaze, which officials expected to extinguish within hours. Port operations ground to a halt, and customs authorities suspended all import and export shipments indefinitely.
The explosion’s timing raised eyebrows, coming as Iran kicked off a third round of nuclear talks with the United States in Oman. Authorities were quick to dismiss any link, insisting the blast resulted from negligence rather than sabotage. A provincial crisis management official described the incident as stemming from “several containers” in the port’s wharf area, though the exact chemical involved remains unclear. Some reports suggested the materials were highly combustible, drawing grim comparisons to the 2020 Beirut port explosion that killed over 200.
This isn’t the first time Shahid Rajaee has made headlines. In 2020, a cyberattack—widely attributed to Israel—crippled the port’s computer systems, snarling trade for days. That incident followed an alleged Iranian cyberstrike, hinting at the port’s role in geopolitical tensions. For now, investigators are focused on why safety warnings about the stored chemicals went unheeded, with the government vowing a full probe.
As night fell, Bandar Abbas was a city on edge. Emergency services continued to clear debris, search for trapped workers, and treat the wounded. The port, a vital artery for Iran’s economy, sits on the Strait of Hormuz, where 20% of the world’s oil trade flows. Its shutdown will ripple through global supply chains, though for how long remains anyone’s guess.
Four confirmed dead. Over 500 injured. Operations suspended. The investigation is ongoing.