Following a tragic explosion at Iran's largest container port, officials cite neglect and safety violations as key factors, while investigations continue into the cause and scope of the disaster.
Iran Attributes Catastrophic Port Explosion to Negligence as Casualties Rise
Iran Attributes Catastrophic Port Explosion to Negligence as Casualties Rise
The Iranian government acknowledges negligence in the devastating blast at Shahid Rajaee port, with the death toll now surpassing 70.
Iran's interior minister, Eskandar Momeni, has confirmed that "negligence" played a significant role in the destructive explosion at Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas. As the casualty count climbs to over 70, Momeni remarked that the blast, which occurred on Saturday, was attributed to "shortcomings, including noncompliance with safety precautions". The explosion also injured more than 1,000 individuals, with officials stating that those deemed responsible are being questioned.
Initial reports suggest that a fire ignited by imported cargo led to the explosion. However, Iran's defense ministry has rebuffed foreign claims that missile fuel chemicals were part of the shipment. Firefighting efforts at the port, now ongoing for two days, are nearing completion according to local crisis management authorities.
Hormozgan Governor Mohammad Ashouri Taziani expressed that cleanup operations may extend over several days, estimating significant damage across 1,500 hectares of the port area. Despite these efforts, the timeline for restoring normal operations could stretch to one or two weeks.
The disagreement surrounding the nature of the cargo raises significant questions. Reports from the Customs Administration indicate the cargo was not formally registered prior to the incident. Sina Marine and Port Services, the operating company for the site, criticized a "repeated and catastrophic error" related to mislabeling hazardous materials on shipping declarations.
Meanwhile, Brig Gen Reza Talai-Nik of the defense ministry has rejected suggestions that sodium perchlorate, a substance sometimes associated with missile production, was involved in the incident. However, maritime risk consultancy Ambrey Intelligence has indicated that improper handling of such materials was a contributing factor in the explosion.
The ongoing investigation is drawing attention both nationally and internationally, as the implications of the disaster resonate beyond immediate tragedy, pointing to deeper systemic issues within the nation's port operations.
