Iran. A powerful explosion in the port. Fatalities, a huge number of wounded

The number of fatalities as a result of a powerful explosion that occurred on Saturday at the Port of Shahid Rajżi in the Iranian city of Bandar-e Abbas over the Strait of Ormuz increased to fourteen. There are over 750 people injured.

A fire at the port of Shahid Rajż'i in the Iranian city of Bandar -e Abbas, which broke out on Saturday, expanded – the local media informed. According to the Ministry of the Interior, the number of fatalities of the explosions increased to at least 14, there are over 750 people injured.

State television reported on Saturday evening that “after ten hours, the intensity of the fire increased and there was a threat that the fire would spread to other areas and other containers.”

The head of the emergency services announced that schools and offices near the port will be closed on Sunday – said the AFP agency, citing the head of the emergency services.

A state of threat to public health

The Ministry of Health Iran has announced a state of threat to public health in the city – reported the Iran International portal. The ministry warned against the spread of dangerous impurities, including ammonia, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.

Residents were called to stay at home, avoid outdoor activities and close windows. People who were particularly vulnerable, including sick, children, pregnant women and the elderly, were recommended to wear masks. The authorities also recommend washing the face and protective clothing.

The explosion is so strong that the windows flew out

It was not stated what caused the explosion in the port of the Strait of Ormuz about 1050 kilometers southeast of the capital of Iran. Residents say that the explosion was so strong that windows from buildings located a few kilometers from the port flew out.

The British company Ambrey, managing the risk of maritime transport, reported that “in March the port accepted the rocket fuel parcel with sodium nadchloran”. Transport came from China. The fuel was to be used to supplement Iran rocket stocks, depleted as a result of direct attacks on Israel last year. “The fire probably occurred as a result of improper handling of a fixed fuel,” Ambrey said.

As the AP agency emphasized, it is unclear why Iran would not decide to transport chemicals from the port, especially after the explosion of the ammonium saltpeter, which occurred at the port of Beirut in 2020.

The Iran International portal also reported that it could explode rocket fuel. Adrian Fazaeli aviation and cosmonocyla expert said that the intensity of the explosion, the mushroom -shaped cloud and the color of smoke indicate the presence of aluminum compounds used in rocket fuel. “The white smoke we have seen is very similar to the combustion of rocket fuel, which contains aluminum and oxidants,” Fazaeli said. He added that the moment of explosion coincided with unloading fuel, which was allegedly purchased in China.

Fazaelei stated that the circumstances indicate that the materials coming into play had a military class and were intended for the needs of the Iranian rocket program.

The authorities examine several possible causes of the disaster

Governor of the Hormozgan province, Mohamad Ashuri, said on Saturday that the authorities are investigating several possible causes of the disaster and present the results of the investigation after its completion. At the same time, a representative of the central authorities pointed out that it is unlikely that the explosion was the result of sabotage.

On social media published on social media, you can see a high pole of smoke floating above the explosion. According to the media, the explosion was felt 25-50 km from its epicenter.

After the disaster, traffic was suspended in the port. The state -owned oil company announced that its installations, including refineries, oil pipelines and fuel tanks, did not suffer.

Important port over the Strait of Ormuz

Bandar-e Abbas, inhabited by about half a million people, is an important port located on the Strait of Ormuz, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Bay of Oman. This is the largest Iranian commercial port.

The explosion took place shortly after the start in the capital of Oman's mask, the third round of the American-Iranian negotiations regarding the nuclear agreement. The purpose of the agreement is to limit the Tehran atomic program in exchange for the abolition of sanctions. Although both sides positively assessed previous negotiations, relations between the USA and Iran are still tense.

Cyber ​​attack and congestion

In 2020, computers in the port were attacked by cyber attack, which caused the creation of huge congestion on water and land roads leading to this facility – reminded the Reuters agency.

The daily Washington Post informed that Israel, who responded to the earlier Iranian cyber attack, was most likely behind this incident.

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