Image: Iranian Red Crescent/WANA
The aftermath of the catastrophic explosion at Iran’s Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas continues to unfold, with new figures confirming a rising death toll and intensifying scrutiny over port safety standards.
According to a report by Reuters, at least 70 people have now been confirmed dead, and more than 1,200 are injured following the devastating blast that ripped through one of Iran’s busiest maritime trade gateways on 26 April.
The explosion ignited a large-scale fire that burned for more than 48 hours before firefighters were able to bring it under partial control. Strong coastal winds have since rekindled flare-ups among the damaged infrastructure, posing continued risks to first responders. Emergency teams are still battling isolated fires, while rescue and recovery operations persist in the smouldering container yards.
Officials estimate it may take up to two weeks to completely clear the affected sections of the port.
Drone Footage Captures Scope of Destruction
New drone footage released by London Port Academy reveals the full extent of the damage: hundreds of containers blackened and collapsed, port cranes bent like paperclips, and vast stretches of charred asphalt. The aerial images serve as a stark visual record of the explosion’s scale and the destructive force it unleashed across the terminal.
While Iranian authorities have dismissed speculation linking the blast to military-related materials — including the alleged mishandling of solid fuel used in missile technology — concerns remain about hazardous cargo safety. The Defence Ministry has rejected foreign media reports pointing to defence-related causes, but public and professional scrutiny is mounting.
Safety Failures Under Investigation
Eskandar Momeni, Iran’s Interior Minister, admitted to “serious lapses in safety protocols” and confirmed that a formal investigation has been ordered by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader. Officials will explore both negligence and potential sabotage as contributing factors.
Investigators are focusing on how dangerous goods were declared, stored, and handled within the terminal. If initial reports prove accurate, improperly identified or stored hazardous materials may have played a key role in the explosion — a reminder of an all-too-common problem in global container logistics.
Mislabelling or misdeclaring dangerous cargo — whether due to ignorance, cost-cutting, or willful neglect — remains a persistent hazard across international ports. Industry experts warn that even a single misdeclared container of chemicals, batteries, or flammable substances can trigger a chain reaction in densely packed terminals.
Global Reactions and Maritime Solidarity
In a sign of growing international concern, Russian President Vladimir Putin has dispatched firefighting aircraft and emergency crews to support Iranian authorities. The gesture underscores the critical importance of global cooperation in maritime emergencies, especially when infrastructure damage threatens regional supply chains.
The Shahid Rajaee Port, located in the Strait of Hormuz, handles a significant share of Iran’s containerized trade and serves as a logistical hub for southern routes. Its disruption sends ripples across supply chains, especially for cargo transiting the Persian Gulf.
The disaster also revives urgent questions about the enforcement of international shipping codes such as the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. For industry professionals, it’s a sobering wake-up call: cargo safety is not just regulatory red tape — it’s a matter of life and death.
As authorities work to restore operations, many in the maritime and project cargo sectors are watching closely — not just for operational impacts, but for answers.
Source: reuters
